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A famous pastor and apologist of Sardis in Asia Minor, Melito reportedly wrote multiple works expounding on the incarnation and passion of Jesus Christ as well as defending Christianity against the claims of paganism, Judaism, and Christian heresies.
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Melito of Sardis (died c. 180) was the bishop of Sardis near Smyrna in western Anatolia, and held a foremost place among the early Christian bishops in Asia due to his personal influence and his literary works. What has been recovered has provided a great insight into Christianity during the second century. Jerome, speaking of the Old Testament canon established by Melito, quotes Tertullian to the effect that he was esteemed as a prophet by many of the faithful. This work by Tertullian has been lost, but Jerome quotes sections regarding Melito for the high regard in which he was held at that time.
Melito is remembered for his work on developing the first Old Testament Canon. Though it cannot be determined what date he was elevated to an episcopacy, it is probable that he was bishop during the arising controversy at Laodicea in regard to the observance of Easter, which resulted in him writing his most famous work, an Apology for Christianity to Marcus Aurelius.
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