Ravenna venerates its first bishop in St. Apollinaris who died a martyr for his Church. St. Apollinaris was a disciple of St. Peter who also named him bishop of Ravenna. According to St. Peter Chrysologus, he was a martyr by the torments he endured for Christ, which he survived at least some days. It is generally agreed that he preached the Gospel in the surrounding countryside in about the year 200. The basilica of St. Apollinaris at Ravenna is one of the jewels of sixth century Byzantine art.