Ariston (bishop)
Ariston of Smyrna, also known as Ariston the Elder, was an Early Christian Bishop of Smyrna, who allegedly was an eyewitness and disciple of Jesus of Nazareth and a companion of John the Elder.
Personal Information
Ariston, or Aristion, is known from early traditions as an elder from whom Papias learned apostolic traditions. Aristion is identified in Ado of Vienne as "one of the seventy-two disciples of Christ."Very few details are known about his life,
Papias, then, inquired of travelers passing through Hierapolis what the surviving disciples of Jesus and the elders—those who had personally known the Twelve Apostles—were saying. One of these disciples was Aristion, and another was John the Elder, usually identified with John the Evangelist, residing in nearby Ephesus, of whom Papias was a hearer; Papias frequently cited both. From the daughters of Philip, who settled in Hierapolis, Papias learned still other traditions. This close association with John could mean that Ariston too was young during Jesus's ministry.
However his name is not mentioned in any later tradition of the Seventy disciples.