(1ST CENT.)
[Latin Martyrology. S. Aristion is not mentioned in the Greek Menæa.
No Acts exist, but he is mentioned in the Apocryphal Acts of S.
Barnabas. The Apocryphal Synopsis of the 72 Disciples, by Dorotheus
of Tyre, does not mention S. Aristion, but S. Jerome mentions him in
his Ecclesiastical Writers, c. 18; and Papias quoted by Eusebius,
lib. iii., c. 39.]
Aristion is mentioned by Eusebius in his account of the writings of
Papias. Eusebius quotes the words of Papias, who says, "If I met with
any one who had been a follower of the Elders anywhere, I made a point
of inquiring what those Elders taught; what had been said by Andrew,
Peter, or Philip; and what by Thomas, James, John, Matthew, or any
other of the disciples of our Lord; and what was said by Aristion, and
by the priest John, disciples of the Lord; for I do not think that I
derived so much benefit from books, as from the living voice of those
that are still surviving."
Papias inserted in his book, says Eusebius, many accounts given him,
concerning our Lord, by Aristion. It is much to be regretted that the
book of Papias is lost.