Synaxis of the Holy Seventy Apostles, January 4 - St Demetrius of Rostov

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Synaxis of the Holy Seventy Apostles

Memory January 4

In addition to the twelve apostles, the Lord Jesus Christ chose seventy others. The Holy Evangelist Luke says this: “After this, the Lord chose the other seventy disciples, and sent them two in front of His face” ( Luke 10: 1 ). Twelve were with Him as witnesses of his life, and seventy prepared people for the acceptance of Christ the Savior, preaching in the cities that Christ the Lord intended to visit. Subsequently, many of the disciples of the Lord, and, of course, including many of the seventy, fell from Christ and ceased to serve him. The Holy Evangelist John writes: “Many of His disciples departed from Him and did not go with Him anymore. Then Jesus said to the twelve: “Would you also like to move away?” ( John 6: 66–67) When the days of Christ's suffering came, the number of Christ's disciples diminished even more, and hardly one of the seventy remained with Him, when one of the twelve fell away from Him. After the resurrection of Christ, the face of the holy twelve apostles was replenished by Matthew, and little by little - from among those who turned to Christ by the twelve apostles and the sermon of the holy Apostle Paul , from above called in the same primitive face and became, along with Peter in that face .

Based on the Divine Scripture, the tradition of the holy fathers of ancient historians and reliable church narrators, one can imagine the face of the holy seventy apostles in the following form.

The first of the seventy apostles was St. James the brother of the Lord , mentioned by the holy apostle Paul in a letter to the Galatians, saying: “I went to Jerusalem to see Peter; I saw no other of the Apostles but Jacob, the brother of the Lord ” ( Gal.1: 18–19 ). He was made the first bishop of Jerusalem according to the testimony of tradition, elected to this and consecrated by Christ Himself during his earthly life. Preaching Christ in Jerusalem, the apostle James was thrown by the Jews from the roof of the temple to the ground, then he was stoned and died from a blow with a club on the head ¹²⁶ .

The holy evangelist Mark , who wrote the holy gospel, under the guidance of the holy apostle Peter, who mentions him in his first conciliar epistles, says: “The church chosen in Babylon and Mark my son greets you” ( 1 Pet. 5: 13 ). The same holy apostle Peter put Mark as bishop in the city of Alexandria ¹²⁷ , where for the sermon on Christ, idolaters who bound him, dragged him over stones and beat him. At this time, the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him, calling him to heavenly glory, and the apostle gave his spirit to Him ¹²⁸ .

The Holy Evangelist Luke , who wrote the holy gospel under the guidance of the Holy Apostle Paul, who mentions him in the Epistle to the Colossians: “Luke greets you, beloved physician” ( Col. 4:14 ). He also wrote the book of the Acts of the Apostles and preached a lot about Christ ¹²⁹ , mainly in Boeotia ¹³⁰ . He died martyrfully in Achaia ¹³¹ .

St. Cleopas, younger brother of St. Joseph the Betrothed . He saw the Lord on the road to Emmaus with Saint Luke after His resurrection, then he recognized the risen Christ when He appeared to the gathered disciples in the same house, where he made the breaking of bread ( Luke 24: 13–35 ). For preaching about Christ, St. Cleopas was put to death by the Jews ¹³² .

Saint Simeon is akin to the Lord in the flesh, was the second bishop after the apostle James in Jerusalem, where he ended his life, being crucified for the crucified Christ. ¹³³

Saint Barnabas , so called the Apostles, and formerly called Josiah ( Acts 4:36 ). He is mentioned in the book of the Acts of the Apostles ( Acts 11:24 ) and in the message of the holy apostle Paul to the Galatians: “I went ,” says the apostle Paul, “ to Jerusalem with Barnabas” ( Gal. 2: 1 ). This apostle Barnabas together with the holy apostle Paul he served the gospel and first preached about Christ in Rome, and then was appointed bishop in Mediolan ¹³⁴. He died in his homeland, on the island of Cyprus, where he was stoned with persecutors of the faith of Christ. Christians buried him with honor and laid with him in the tomb, according to his testament, the holy Gospel of Matthew, which Barnabas once rewrote himself and with whom he was never separated ¹³⁵ .

Saint Josiah or Joseph, also called Barsabas and Justus . He is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, where it is narrated that he, along with Matthew, was elected to the place of the departed apostle Judas Iscariot ( Acts 1:23 ), and in the message of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Colossians, in which the Apostle, listing the greetings of the faithful to the Colossus Church, say: “also Jesus, called Justus” ( Col. 4:11 ). Teachers of the Church say that this Josiah was the son of Joseph the Betrothed, like Jacob, Simon, and Judas , not Iskariot, and he occupied the episcopal chair in Eleutheropol ¹³⁶ , where he died a martyrdom. ¹³⁷

St. Thaddeus was first a disciple of St. John the Baptist, and then a disciple of Christ. It must be distinguished from the holy apostle Jude Thaddeus or Levi, one of the twelve. He baptized the Prince of Edessa, Augar, and healed him of leprosy. After long-term labors in evangelizing Christ, he rested on Lord ¹³⁸ in the Phoenician city of Bereith ¹³⁹ .

Saint Ananias , who baptized the Apostle Paul ( Acts 9: 10–18 ), was first a bishop in the city of Damascus ¹⁴⁰ . Saint Ananius ended his life in Eleuferopol, where he was stoned at the command of hegemon Lucian ¹⁴¹ .

The Holy First Martyr Stephen the Archdeacon was the first to take the martyr's crown for Christ, being stoned, which is why he was called the “First Martyr” ¹⁴² . Shortly before his death, he was honored to see the open heavens and the Lord Jesus, in the form of the Son of Man, standing at the right hand of God ( Acts 7:55 ).

Saint Philip , one of the seven deacons who baptized Simon the sorcerer in Samaria ¹⁴³ and the eunuch of Kandakia the queen ( Acts 8: 26–39 ), was a bishop in the city of Thralia ¹⁴⁴ and there enlightened many with the Christian faith, in old age he departed to the Lord. ¹⁴⁵

Saint Prokhor is one of the seven deacons ( Acts 6: 5 ), a companion of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian and a participant in his writings. He was the first bishop in the Bithynian city of Nicomedia ¹⁴⁶ , and then preached about Christ in Antioch ¹⁴⁷ , where he died martyrly.

Saint Nikanor, one of the seven deacons, was put to death, along with two thousand believers in Christ, on the same day that Saint Stephen the First Martyr was stoned; this happened, as it is written in the book of the Acts of the Apostles during the great persecution erected on the church of Jerusalem ( Acts 8: 1 ).

Saint Timon, one of the seven deacons, was the bishop of the city of Vostra in Arabia ¹⁴⁸ and, while preaching the name of Christ, suffered a lot from Jews and Greeks. Then, having been thrown into the kindled furnace, he got out unscathed and then went to the Lord.

Saint Parmen , one of the seven deacons, performing the work of the gospel entrusted to him by the Apostles, died martyrfully in the eyes of the Apostles ¹⁴⁹ .

Saint Timothy , who worked in the work of the gospel of Christ together with the holy apostle Paul, who wrote two letters to him, was a bishop in Ephesus ¹⁵⁰ , where he died a martyrdom ¹⁵¹ .

Saint Titus also labored with the Apostle Paul in evangelism. The Holy Apostle Paul mentions him in his epistles ( 2 Cor. 2: 12–13, 12:18 ; 2 Tim. 4:10 ), and also wrote a message to him. Saint Titus was bishop of Gortyna, on the island of Crete. He died in old age in the world. ¹⁵²

Saint Philemon , to whom Saint Apostle Paul wrote a special epistle, was a bishop in Gaza ¹⁵³ . He died martyrfully in the reign of Nero. ¹⁵⁴

Saint Onesimus , about whom the holy Apostle Paul writes in his epistle to Philemon ( Fl.1: 10–19 ), preached Christianity in Spain, Greece and Asia Minor. He died martyrly shortly after the death of St. Ignatius the God-bearer, being stoned in Rome. ¹⁵⁵

Saint Epaphras, whom Saint Apostle Paul also refers to in the same epistle to Philemon, saying: “Epaphras, prisoner with me for Christ Jesus salutes you ” ( Flm. 1:23 ), was bishop of the city of Colossus and the churches of Laodicea and Hierapolis ¹⁵⁶ . Together with the holy apostle Paul, he was held in bonds in Rome, from where Paul wrote to the Colossians: “Your Epaphras, servant of Jesus Christ, greets you, always working for you in prayers, so that you can be perfect and complete with whatever God wants. I testify of him that he has great jealousy and care for you and those in Laodicea and Hierapolis ” ( Col. 4: 12–13 ).

Saint Archippus , mentioned in the same epistles to Philemon, was after Saint Epaphras (imprisoned in Rome), bishop in the city of Colossus ¹⁵⁷ ; about which the holy apostle Paul writes to the Colossians: “Tell Archippus: look that you will fulfill the ministry that you have taken in the Lord” ( Col. 4:17 ). There Saint Arkhip died a martyrdom. ¹⁵⁸

The Holy Power was a disciple and closest associate of the Holy Apostle Paul, with whom he preached the word of God and suffered many sufferings, wounds and imprisonment ( Acts 16: 13-24 ). He is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles: “Paul, having chosen Strength for himself, established the church” ( Acts 15: 40–41 ). Subsequently, he was a bishop in Corinth ^159, and, having worked a great deal in preaching the word of God and having done signs and wonders, he went to the Lord. ¹⁶⁰

Saint Silvanus preached the word of God with the holy apostles Peter and Paul. The holy apostle Peter mentions him in his conciliar epistles in the following words: “These things I wrote to you briefly through Silvanus, faithful, as I think, to your brother” ( 1 Pet. 5:12 ). Also, the holy apostle Paul in the second epistle to the Corinthians: “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, preached to us by me, and Silvanus” ( 2 Corinthians 1:19 ). The Apostle Silouan was a bishop in Soluni ¹⁶¹ , where, having suffered many calamities during his exploits for the establishment of the holy faith of Christ, he went to the Ascendant Christ. ¹⁶²

St. Crikent , whom the Holy Apostle Paul mentions in his second epistle to Timothy (Tim. 4: 10), was a bishop in Galatia ¹⁶³ , and then preached Christ in Gaul. There, in the city of Vienne, ¹⁶⁴ , Cristent made bishop of his disciple, Zacharias, and again returned to Galatia, where he died martyrly in the reign of Trajan ¹⁶⁵ .

St. Crispus, mentioned by the Acts of the Apostles in the following words: “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with his whole house” ( Acts 18: 8 ), and of which the holy apostle Paul says in a letter to the Corinthians that he “ Baptized Crispus ” ( 1 Cor. 1:19 ), was a bishop on the island of Aegin, near the Peloponnese ¹⁶⁶ , between the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Died in the world.

Saint Epenet , whom Saint Apostle Paul mentions in his epistles to the Romans, saying: “Salute my beloved Epenet, who is the beginning of Achaea for Christ” ( Rom. 16: 5 ), was a bishop in Carthage ¹⁶⁷ .

St. Andronicus , whom the Holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter to the Romans, saying: “Salute Andronicus,” and calls him his relative and fellow prisoner, one of the most important apostles who previously believed in Christ ( Rom. 16: 7 ), was a bishop in Pannonia ¹⁶⁸ . He died in the world ¹⁶⁹ .

Saint Stachius , mentioned by the holy apostle Paul in the same epistle, saying: “Salute Stachius, my beloved” ( Rom. 16: 9 ), was the holy apostle Andrew the First-Called, appointed first bishop of Byzantium. Together with him, St. Stachius erected a church in Argyropole ¹⁷⁰ , where many believers gathered and he taught them the commandments of Christ.

Saint Amplius , about whom the holy apostle Paul mentions the same epistle, saying: “Salute Amplius, my beloved in the Lord” ( Rom. 16: 8 ), was a bishop in the city of Diospol ¹⁷¹ , where he preached Christ. He died in the city of Odysse ¹⁷² , being killed by the Greeks for his sermon on Christ ¹⁷³ .

Saint Urvan , whom Saint Apostle Paul recalls in the same epistle, saying: “Salute Urban, our colleague in Christ” ( Rom. 16: 9 ), was bishop in Macedonia ¹⁷⁴ and died martyrly ¹⁷⁵ .

Saint Narcissus , whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same epistle, saying: “Salute from the household of Narcissus those who are in the Lord” ( Rom.16: 11 ), was a bishop in Athens ¹⁷⁶ .

Saint Apellius , mentioned in the same epistle by the holy apostle Paul, saying: “Salute Apelles, who was tested in Christ” ( Rom.16: 10 ), was bishop of the city of Smyrna ¹⁷⁷ .

Saint Aristobulus , mentioned by the holy apostle Paul in the same epistle, saying: “Salute the faithful from the house of Aristovulov” ( Rom.16: 10 ), was a bishop in Britain ¹⁷⁸ and died after long labor and suffering ¹⁷⁹ .

Saint Herodion or Rodion , mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in the same epistle, saying: “Salute Herodion, my kindred” ( Rom. 16:11 ), was bishop in Patras ¹⁸⁰ . He died martyrly in Rome ¹⁸¹ .

Saint Agave had the gift of prophecy. He is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in the following words: “a certain prophet, named Agave, came from Judea, took Pavlov’s belt and, having tied his hands and feet, said: this is what the Holy Spirit says: the man whose belt it is will tie the Jews in Jerusalem and they shall deliver into the hands of the Gentiles ” ( Acts 21: 10–11 ; cf. 11:28). The Apostle Agave preached in many countries and turned many to Christ. ¹⁸²

St. Rufus , mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in Romans, saying: “Salute Rufus, chosen in the Lord” ( Rom. 16:13 ), was bishop in Thebes, city of Greece ¹⁸³ .

Saint Asyncrit , who is mentioned in the same epistle ( Rom. 16:14 ), was a bishop in Hyrcania, Asia Minor region, where he suffered a lot for the name of Christ ¹⁸⁴ .

Saint Phlegon , mentioned in the same epistle ( Rom. 16:14 ), was a bishop in Marathon, the city of Thrace ¹⁸⁵ .

Saint Hermas , who is mentioned in the same epistle ( Rom. 16:14 ), was a bishop in Philippopolis ¹⁸⁶ , where he died martyrly ¹⁸⁷ .

St. Patrov , mentioned in the same epistle ( Rom. 16:14 ), was a bishop in Naples ¹⁸⁸ and Puteolaha ¹⁸⁹ , where ¹⁹⁰ turned many to Christ .

Saint Hermias , mentioned in the same epistle, was a bishop in Dalmatia ¹⁹¹ .

These five apostles are mentioned by the holy apostle Paul in a letter to the Romans in such words: “Salute Asyncritus, Phlegont, Hermas, Patrov, Hermias ” ( Rom. 16:14 ).

Saint Lin , mentioned by the holy apostle Paul in the second epistle to Timothy ( 2 Tim. 4:21 ), was a bishop in Rome, after the holy apostle Peter ¹⁹² .

Saint Gaius , mentioned by the holy apostle Paul in a letter to the Romans saying: “Gaius, my stranger to the whole church, greets you” ( Rom. 16:23 ), was bishop in Ephesus after Saint Timothy.

The Holy Philologist , whom the Holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same epistle, saying: “Greet the Philologist” ( Rom. 16:15 ), was appointed Apostle Andrew as bishop in Sinope ¹⁹³ , where he died in the world. ¹⁹⁴

Saint Luke or Luke , which the holy Apostle Paul refers to in the same epistle ( Rom. 16:21 ), was a bishop in Laodicea of ​​Syria ¹⁹⁵ .

St. Jason , who is mentioned in the same epistle ( Rom. 16:21 ), was a bishop in Tarsus ¹⁹⁶ , where he suffered a lot for the name of Christ. He died in old age in the world ¹⁹⁷ .

Saint Sosipater , also mentioned in the letter to the Romans ( Rom. 16:21 ), was a bishop in Iconium ¹⁹⁸ . Sosipater died in the world ¹⁹⁹ .

About the last three apostles, the holy apostle Paul writes in a letter to the Romans as follows: “Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives, greet you” ( Rom. 16:21 ).

Saint Olympian or Olympus , mentioned by the holy apostle Paul in the same epistle ( Rom. 16:15 ), was present at the suffering death of the holy apostle Peter in Rome, and then he himself was beheaded together with the holy apostle Herodion at the behest of Nero, as Metaphrastus writes. in the legend for the day of the holy apostles Peter and Paul ²⁰⁰ .

Saint Tertius wrote the epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans, which he himself says in this epistle: “I greet you in the Lord and I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle” ( Rom.16: 22 ). He was the second bishop in Iconium, after St. Sosipater, and there he acquired a martyr's crown ²⁰¹ .

Saint Erast , mentioned by the holy apostle Paul in the same epistle ( Rom. 16:23 ), was a deacon and treasury guard of the Jerusalem church, and then bishop in Panead ²⁰² .

Saint Quart or Quart , mentioned in the same epistle, was a bishop in Bury.

About these two apostles, the holy apostle Paul writes this way: “Erast, city treasury guard, and brother Quart welcomes you” ( Rom. 16:23 ).

Saint Gadfly was a bishop of Antioch after Saint Peter. Saint Ignatius the God-bearer mentions him in his letter to the Antiochs , saying: “Remember the blessed Evod, your father, he is your first shepherd . ” He died martyrly ²⁰³ .

Saint Onisiphor , mentioned by the holy apostle Paul in the second epistle to Timothy, saying: “May the Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he had repeatedly rested me and was not ashamed of my bonds” ( 2 Tim. 1:16 ), was a bishop in Colophon ²⁰⁴ and Kirine ²⁰⁵ . He died martyrly ²⁰⁶ .

Saint Clement , mentioned by Saint Paul in a letter to the Philippians, saying: “He worked with me and Clement” ( Phil. 4: 3 ), was a bishop in Sardica ²⁰⁷ .

Saint Sosphenes , who after Saint Crispus was the head of the Jewish synagogue in Corinth, was converted to Christianity by the holy apostle Paul. About him, in the Acts of the Apostles it is said: “And all the Greeks, capturing Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, beat him before the court” ( Acts 18:17 ). His name is mentioned by the holy apostle Paul himself, along with his in the Epistle to the Corinthians, which begins as follows: “Paul, by the will of God, the Apostle of Jesus Christ called, and Sosphenes brother” ( 1 Cor. 1: 1 ). Subsequently, the holy apostle Sosthenes was bishop at Colophon ²⁰⁸ .

Saint Apollos is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles: “A certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent husband and knowledgeable in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He was instructed in the beginnings of the Lord’s path and, burning with his spirit, he spoke and taught the Lord correctly ” ( Acts 18: 24–25 ). The Holy Apostle Paul also mentions him in the first Epistle to the Corinthians saying: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God grew ” ( 1 Cor. 3: 6 ). Subsequently, Apollos was in Crete ²⁰⁹ and even later was Bishop of Caesarea ²¹⁰ .

St. Tikhik is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 20: 4 ) and in the Epistles of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Colossians ( Col. 4: 7 ) and to the Ephesians, which says: “so that you also know about my affairs, Tikhik will inform you of everything, Beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, whom I sent to you so that you might know about us and comfort your hearts ” ( Eph. 6: 21–22 ). And again, in the second epistle to Timothy, the apostle Paul says: “I sent Tikhik to Ephesus” ( 2 Tim . 4:12 ; cf. Titus 3:12 .). Tikhik was bishop of Colophon after Saint Sosthenes ²¹¹ .

Saint Epaphroditus is mentioned in the epistle of the holy apostle Paul to the Philippians, where the apostle Paul says: “However, I thought it necessary to send Epaphroditus, my brother and employee and associate of mine, and your messenger and minister in my need” ( Phil. 2:25 ). Epaphrodite was a bishop in Adriac ²¹² .

Saint Karp , about whom Saint Apostle Paul refers to the second epistle to Timothy in such words: “When you go, bring the felon that I left at Trope with Karp, and the books” ( 2 Tim. 4:13 ), was a bishop in Beria Thracian ²¹³ . He graduated from life in the world ²¹⁴ .

Saint Codratus was a bishop in Athens and Magnesia, where, preaching the word of the Lord, he received at the hands of the Athenians the martyrdom of death ²¹⁵ under king Adrian ²¹⁶ .

St. Mark , who is also John, who is described as a companion of Paul and Barnabas, is mentioned many times by the Acts of the Apostles, for example, in the following place: “But Barnabas and Saul, on the fulfillment of an assignment, returned from Jerusalem (to Antioch), taking with them and John, nicknamed Mark ” ( Acts 12 , etc.), was a bishop in the city of Byblos, in Phenicia ²¹⁷ . Saint Mark performed many miracles and had such a gracious power that the sick were healed from one of his shadows . ²¹⁸

Saint Zina , nicknamed Lawyer, that is, a teacher of the Law of Moses, about which the holy Apostle Paul mentions in Titus, saying: “Take care of Zina the lawyer,” ( Titus 3:13 ), was a bishop in Diospol.

Saint Aristarchus , mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles ( Acts 19:29 ) and in the epistles of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Colossians ( Col. 4:10 ) and to Philemon ( Filim 1:23 ), was a bishop in the city of Apamey ²¹⁹ .

Holy Pud , mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in the second epistle to Timothy, saying: “Greetings also come from Pud” ( 2 Tim. 4:21 ), was a member of the Roman Senate. He was a pious man, received in his house the holy apostles Peter and Paul and many believers. Subsequently, his house was converted to a church, which was called the “Pastoral” and in which, according to legend, the holy apostle Peter.

Saint Trofim , who was twice mentioned by the Acts of the Apostles ( Acts 20: 4, 21:29 ) and Saint Apostle Paul in the same letter to Timothy, saying: “I left the trophy of the sick in Milita” ( 2 Tim. 4:20 ), with the apostles Pudom and Aristarchus accompanied in all your persecutions and the apostle Paul, finally, when St Paul in Rome under Nero was beheaded by the sword along with his two companions was also beheaded ²²⁰ .

St. Mark , the nephew of the Apostle Barnabas , was a bishop in the Apollonias of Bithynia ²²¹ . The holy apostle Paul mentions him in a letter to the Colossians together with the aforementioned apostle Aristarchus: “Aristarchus, who was imprisoned with me, and Mark, Barnabas’s nephew, greet you” ( Col. 4:10 ).

Saint Artyom , about which the holy Apostle Paul speaks in a letter to Titus: “When I send Artyom to you” ( Titus 3:12 ), he was a bishop in Listrah ²²² .

Saint Aquila , mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 18: 1–3 ) and in the epistles of the Apostle Paul ( Rom. 16: 3-4 and others), was a bishop in Heracles, but the word of God was preached in Asia and Achai and a martyrdom crowned for his sermon ²²³ .

Saint Fortunate, mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in the first Epistle to the Corinthians ( 1 Cor. 16: 17–18 ), worked tirelessly, preaching the name of Christ; and after many labors he accepted the blessed demise.

Saint Ahaik, mentioned together with Fortunate by the holy Apostle Paul in the same Epistle to the Corinthians, saying: “I am glad for the arrival of Stephen, Fortunatus and Achaik: they have filled your absence for me, because they have calmed my and your spirit” ( 1 Cor. 16 : 17–18 ).

Saint Dionysius the Areopagite , mentioned by the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 17:34 ), was first a bishop in Athens, and then preached Christ in Gaul ²²⁴ and was beheaded here. The fact that he also belonged to the apostolic face is evidenced by Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea of ​​Palestine ²²⁵ , who, listing 70 apostles, says: “add to them that Areopagite named Dionysius, about whom Luke writes in the Acts of the Apostles that he was addressed to faith by preaching Paul in Athens. ”

Saint Simeon, nicknamed Niger; the holy Apostle Luke mentions him in Acts, saying: “In Antioch, in the church there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon, called Niger” ( Acts 13: 1 ). Saint Epiphanius testifies to the fact that he also belonged to the apostolic face , placing him between the apostles, for he so lists their names: “Mark, Luke, Justa, Barnabas, Apellius, Rufus, Nigra (i.e. Simeon Nigra) and the other seventy-two ²²⁶ . Thus, Saint Epiphanius certifies us that the face of these smaller apostles consists of seventy-two persons, and that Saints Simeon Niger was one of this number of apostles. Also Saint John of Damascus ²²⁷, in Oktoikha of the fifth voice on Vespers on Wednesday, after the twelve apostles, the cathedral of seventy-two apostles also mentions.

By the gracious prayers of all these apostles, may we also be blessed to be partakers of heavenly bliss and to see the Supreme Apostle and Bishop confessing our Jesus Christ, praising him with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, amen.

Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea of ​​Palestine, in the twelfth chapter writes in the twelfth chapter: “They each (out of twelve) of the apostle of Christ are quite aware of each of the evangelical testimonies, and the list of seventy apostles is quite accurate, is nowhere to be found. If you take a closer look at the matter, you can find more than seventy of them, adhering to only one testimony of the holy apostle Paul, who in the first letter to the Corinthians says: “What appeared (Christ after His resurrection) to Kife, then twelve; then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of which were still alive, and some had rested ” ( 1 Cor. 15: 5-6) Of those who worked in the preaching of Christ, in the primitive Church, who enlightened by faith different countries like the holy apostles, and therefore worthy of the name of the apostolic, we mention some of them here especially.

Saint Lazarus, who was dead for four days and was resurrected by the Lord. During the persecution of the Jerusalem church, after the murder of the holy first martyr Stephen, he was expelled from the borders of Judea ( Acts 8: 1 ) and put into the sea on a boat, without oars, together with the holy disciple of the Lord Maximinus and with holy Kelidonius, who was born blind, but was healed by the Lord. By divine will, the boat sailed to the island of Cyprus and St. Lazarus began to preach in the city of Kydonia about Christ. Subsequently, he was ordained in this city by the Apostle Barnabas to the rank of bishop, and there he rested in peace on the island of Cyprus. Many years later, his holy body was found on that island in a marble ark, on which was the inscription: “Four-day Lazarus, friend of Christ” ²²⁸ .

Saint Joseph, who came from Arimathea ²²⁹ and was a secret disciple of Jesus Christ, and then asked his perfect body from Pilate ( Luke 23: 50–52 ; Matt. 27:67 ; Mark 15:42 ; John 19:38 ), He was also expelled by envious Jews from the Jewish borders and preached Christ in England, where he died. The inhabitants of England he is revered as the apostle of their country ²³⁰ .

Saint Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night to listen to his teachings ( John 3: 1–2 ) and gave good advice to the Jews not to condemn him before hearing Him himself and consider his case ( John 7: 50–51 ), and then betraying together with Joseph, the body of Jesus was buried and augmented with its aromas ( John 19:39 ), he also suffered from the Jews for his faith in Christ and the Apostolic sermon, and was expelled from Judea ²³¹ .

Saint Gamaliel was a teacher of the holy Apostle Paul. He gave prudent advice to the Sanhedrin regarding the preaching of the holy apostles, saying: “If this is a work of men, then it will be destroyed; and if from God, then you cannot destroy him; beware that you also may not be God-opponents ”( Acts 6: 34–40 ). After the martyrdom of Archdeacon Stephen , he took his body and buried it in his village near Jerusalem. He also hid Saint Nicodemus, who was expelled for preaching to Christ, whom he buried after his death, near the tomb of the holy first martyr Stephen, where he himself was buried ²³² .

The eunuch of the Queen of Ethiopia, Kandakia, baptized by the holy apostle Philip on the road ( Acts 8: 26–39 ) and turning this queen to Christ, was the first preacher of Christ in Ethiopia ²³³ , where he died a martyrdom.

Saint Zacchaeus, who joyfully received the Lord in his house and heard from Him: “now salvation has come to this house” ( Luke 19: 1–10 ). Upon the ascension of the Lord, Zacchaeus followed the holy apostle Peter, he was appointed bishop of Caesarea of Palestine ²³⁴ , where he preached about Christ ²³⁵ .

St. Cornelius the centurion , baptized by the holy apostle Peter ( Acts 10 ), who was later appointed bishop, preached Christ in the city of Skeppsia ²³⁶ , where he died in peace ²³⁷ .

St. Loggin the centurion , who stood guard at the Cross of the Lord and confessed that Jesus is truly the Son of God ( Matthew 27:44 ). After the burial of the Lord, Loggin again stood guard at the sepulcher of the Lord and was an eyewitness to the Resurrection of Christ, which he testified to before all. Subsequently, he preached about Christ in Cappadocia, where he suffered martyrdom ²³⁸ .

St. Ignatius the God-Bearer , according to tradition, is the very child that the Lord took in His arms to Himself, and pointed to the Apostles, saying: “If you are not like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” ( Matthew 18: 2–5 ; Mk. 9:37 ). By the holy apostle Peter, he was ordained a bishop of Antioch, where he preached about Christ. He ended his life with martyrdom in Rome, being given to the lions to be torn to pieces by ²³⁹ .

Saint Polycarp was a bishop of the city of Smyrna. He, like the Apostles, tirelessly preached the word of God, wrote a message to the newly converted Christians, and vigilantly cared for the good and spiritual good of his flock. Blessed Simeon Metafrast ^240, in the life of St. Ignatius the God-bearer, directly calls Polycarp the divine apostle saying: "They arrived in Smyrna and there St. Ignatius kissed St. Polycarp, the divine apostle, his fellow practitioner." He died a martyrdom in Rome ²⁴¹ .

Saint Erofei , one of the members of the Athenian Areopagus; the holy Christian faith was taught by the holy apostle Paul, who was appointed bishop in Athens. Together with other holy Apostles and St. Erofei was transported by air to the tomb of the Virgin, by the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos in Jerusalem. He died martyrly ²⁴² .

Saint Antipas , Bishop of Pergamon, also suffered for the apostolic sermon on Christ ²⁴³ . About him, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in the Revelation of St. John the Evangelist, said this: “Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed” ( Rev. 2:13 ).

St. Demetrius, mentioned by the holy Apostle John the Theologian in his third epistle ( 3 John 1:12 ). St. Demetrius was a bishop in the Asian city of Philadelphia ²⁴⁴ .

Kontakion, voice 2:

We will praise the face of Christ's disciples of the seventy, divine faithfulness in the song: with all their skill, the Trinity is considered inseparable, and the lamps of the divine faith abide

* * *

¹²⁶           His memory is committed by the Church on October 23

¹²⁷           Alexandria is a famous city founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, in Lower (Northern) Egypt, at the mouth of the Nile. In antiquity there was a richest commercial and industrial city. At present, Alexandria is one of the most fortified port cities and the most important trading points in the Mediterranean, with a population of up to 230,000 people.

¹²⁸           His memory is committed on April 25

¹²⁹           The memory of the holy apostle and evangelist Luke is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on October 18 with his relics on April 22.

¹³⁰           Boeotia is a region of central Greece.

¹³¹           As evidenced by this St. Gregory the Theologian in the first word on the emperor Julian.

¹³²           According to legend, in the very house in which he with Saint Luke recognized the risen Christ through the breaking of bread by Him.

¹³³           The celebration of his memory was established by the Church on April 27

¹³⁴           Mediolan - now Milan - the most significant city of Northern Italy, in the region of Lombardy; founded in antiquity and has always been of great importance.

¹³⁵           The memory of the holy Apostle Barnabas is especially celebrated on June 11

¹³⁶           Elevferopol is a city in southern Palestine, on the road between Jerusalem and Gaza. Currently, there is a village lying on the way out of the plain of Sefelskaya to the upland land of Judah. Not far from it lie the ruins of ancient Eleutheropol.

¹³⁷           Celebrating his memory on October 30

¹³⁸           The memory of the holy Apostle Thaddeus is celebrated by the Church on August 21

¹³⁹           Berit - present Beirut - the ancient city of Phenicia, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea; in the V century flourished and was famous for its higher school of rhetoric, poetry and law; Nowadays - the main administrative city of Asian-Turkish Syria and the most important trading point of the Syrian coast, with a population of up to 180,000 inhabitants.

¹⁴⁰           Damascus is the main, richest trading city of Syria, one of the oldest cities in the world; It lies northeast of Palestine, with the Barada River flowing through it, in a beautiful and fruitful plain, with the eastern sole of Anti-Lebanon. And at present, the city of Damascus, which is part of the Turkish Empire, is one of the richest cities in Asia and has up to 150 thousand inhabitants.

¹⁴¹           Memory up. Ananias is celebrated by the Holy Church on October 1

¹⁴²           The memory of the holy first martyr Stephen is performed by the Church three times a year: on December 27, when his relics are celebrated, and on August 2, the day the relics of St. Stephen were transferred from Jerusalem to Constantinople.

¹⁴³           Samaria, as a country or region of Palestine, occupied the middle of Palestine, west of the Jordan. Its borders to the north are Galilee, to the south is Judea, to the east is the Jordan, to the west is the Mediterranean Sea. Samaria, the main city of the country of Samaria and once the capital of the kingdom of Israel, was located almost three miles north of Jerusalem. At present, there is no stone on stone left from the ancient glorious city - on the Place it is worth one poor village of Sabustier (formerly the city of Sevastia).

¹⁴⁴           Thrallia is a Lidean city in the northwest of Asia Minor.

¹⁴⁵           The memory of the Apostle Philip is committed by the Church on October 11

¹⁴⁶           Nicomedia is a rich and flourishing city in the region of Bithynia, in the northwestern part of Asia Minor. From the ancient flowering Nicomedia and hitherto, many ruins are preserved, testifying to its glorious past.

¹⁴⁷           Antioch - the capital of Syria, the oldest and richest city; Anteochia lies at the river Oronta, about 10 miles from its confluence with the Mediterranean Sea, between the mountain ranges of Lebanon and the Taurus. Currently, Antioch is under Turkish rule and is a small and poor town, which has up to 10 thousand inhabitants.

¹⁴⁸           Bostra is a city in Arabia. In antiquity there was a rich trading city. Now in ruins. The surviving long rows of stone shops testify to its former power and wealth.

¹⁴⁹           The memory of the holy apostles: Prokhor, Nikanor, Timon and Parmen is celebrated all together on July 28th. Nikanora is celebrated on December 28 and the memory of St. Timon December 30th.

¹⁵⁰           Ephesus is the main city of Asia Minor Province; Located on the Kaistra River. Currently, on the site of the ancient city of Ephesus is a poor Turkish village called Aisya-Solyuk.

¹⁵¹           The memory of the Holy Apostle Timothy is committed by the Church on January 22

¹⁵²           Memory of st. Apostle Titus is celebrated on August 25

¹⁵³           Gaza is one of the oldest Philistine cities that served as the border of the Canaanites in southern Palestine. Subsequently, this flourishing city lost all its significance, and now only sandy hills and miserable ruins are evidence that there once existed a great city. Not far from here is a new city of a later origin, of the same name.

¹⁵⁴           The Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Apostle Filimon on February 19

¹⁵⁵           In the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan around 109. Memory of st. Apostle Onesimus is celebrated on February 15

¹⁵⁶           Cities in Asia Minor.

¹⁵⁷           Colossi is a city in the southwestern part of Phrygia, near the Lycus River, near Laodicea and Hierapolis. In antiquity there was a large, populated, rich city. Currently, this is a small village on one of the slopes of Mount Hokas, in which the ruins of the ancient city of Colossus have been preserved.

¹⁵⁸           The memory of the holy Apostle Archippus is committed by the Church on February 19

¹⁵⁹           Corinth is the oldest, most famous and richest trading city of Akhali, a beautiful and fruitful plain on the southeastern corner of the Gulf of Corinth, between the Ionian and Aegean Seas. At present, the ruins of ancient Corinth are located near the present Corinth, called Curonto, which has about 5,000 inhabitants.

¹⁶⁰           His memory is celebrated on July 30.

¹⁶¹           Solun or Thessalonica - a very significant, ancient city of Macedonia, lay in the depths of the large Solyansk or Fermei Gulf at the Aegean Sea (Archipelago). Currently, this city under the name of Thessaloniki, after Constantinople, is the first trading and manufacturing city in European Turkey, with a very large population.

¹⁶²           His memory is committed on July 30

¹⁶³           Galatia is a small mountainous but fertile province of Asia Minor, lying between Phrygia, Bithynia, Pontus and Cappadocia. The name received from the Galatians - warlike tribes of Gallic or Celtic origin.

¹⁶⁴          

Vienne - now Vienne - an ancient Roman colony and then the capital of various states founded by Germanic tribes, located on the left bank of the river. The Rhone. Currently, the city is rich in remnants of Roman antiquities.

¹⁶⁵           Trajan - Roman emperor - reigned from 98–117

¹⁶⁶           Peloponnese is the southern part of Greece.

¹⁶⁷           Carthage - the oldest, most famous Phoenician colony in northern Africa, which reached the highest degree of power in ancient history and was destroyed in 146 BC. On the ruins of ancient Carthage under the first Roman emperors a new Carthage arose, which existed, with great brilliance a long time.

¹⁶⁸           Pannonia is one of the significant Danube regions of the Roman Empire; Pannonia is now part of Hungary.

¹⁶⁹           Memory of the Holy Apostle Andronicus St. The church celebrates three times a year: May 17

¹⁷⁰           Argiropol, now Fundukli, a suburb of Constantinople, near Pera and Galata

¹⁷¹           Diospol was located in Palestine, northwest of Jerusalem.

¹⁷²           Odissa - a city in Mysia, in the northwestern part of Asia Minor, now Varna - a marina near the northeast slope of the Balkans on the Black Sea, has more than 25,000 inhabitants.

¹⁷³           His memory is celebrated by the Church on October 31

¹⁷⁴           Macedonia was located north of Greece, between Illyria, Thrace, the Aegean Sea and Goethe or the Balkan. For some time it was an independent state, which was especially elevated and became famous under Tsar Alexander the Great. At the time of the Apostles, Macedonia was part of the Roman Empire. Now she is dominated by the Turks.

¹⁷⁵           Memory of st. Apostle Urvan October 31

¹⁷⁶           Athens - the capital of the ancient Greek state; It was famous for its buildings, statues, the development of trade and industry, and especially schools. Here until later times (VI century BC) there were famous philosophical schools in which the inhabitants of ancient countries received their education.

¹⁷⁷           Smyrna - the famous trading city of Ionia, on the eastern coast of the Aegean Sea (or the Archipelago), one of the oldest cities in Asia Minor Smyrna was enlightened by Christianity by the holy apostle John the Theologian. Currently, Smyrna belongs to the Turks, but the Orthodox Christian faith is still preserved there. The city remains and still is one of the most flourishing and very populated cities of the Turkish Empire.

¹⁷⁸           Britain is the ancient name of England.

¹⁷⁹           Memory of st. Apostle Aristobulus is celebrated by the Church twice a year: March 16

¹⁸⁰           Patras or Patara, a seaside trading city in the Asia Minor province of Lycia (now Anatolia). Founded by the Phoenicians; now in ruins.

¹⁸¹           The memory of the holy Apostle Herodion is performed by the Church on April 8

¹⁸²           His memory - April 8

¹⁸³           Thebes is the main city of Boeotia, a region of Greece.

¹⁸⁴           His memory - April 8

¹⁸⁵           Marathon is an ancient city in Thrace, lying northeast of Macedonia.

¹⁸⁶           Filippol - an ancient fortified city in Thrace, now in Eastern Rumelia, on the Maritsa River; hitherto very significant in its industry and population.

¹⁸⁷           His memory is committed by the Church on March 8 and November 5

¹⁸⁸           Naples - the main city of the province of the Italian kingdom with the same name, is located on the northern coast of the Gulf of Naples.

¹⁸⁹           Puteoli is a coastal city of Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea, near Naples, in the Campania region.

¹⁹⁰           Memory of st. up Patrova November 5

¹⁹¹           Dalmatia is the southern part of the Illyrian province, which bordered on the north with Pannonia, in the west with Italy and the Adriatic Sea.

¹⁹²           His memory on November 5

¹⁹³           Sinop is a city on the southern coast of the Black Sea.

¹⁹⁴           His memory on November 5

¹⁹⁵           Laodicea of Syria - once the main city of Phrygia, to its south-west, in Asia Minor, by the river Lycus; famous for its wide trade. Currently, only one ruin on one low hill, with the devastated village of Eski-Gassar, serves as a monument to that ancient city.

¹⁹⁶           Tarsus is a large and populated city of Cilicia (southeastern province of Asia Minor), in the southern part of it, in a fruitful plain, by the river Kidna, not far from which flows into the Mediterranean Sea. And at present, Tars is still a rather significant trading city.

¹⁹⁷           The memory of the Apostle Jason is celebrated on April 28

¹⁹⁸           Iconium - a city on a high fruitful plain inside Asia Minor, at the foot of the Taurus Mountains; was once the main city of Lycaonia; now Konya, the main Malaysian Turkish region of Karamania.

¹⁹⁹           His memory is April 28

²⁰⁰           Memory of st. up Olympus is celebrated on November 10

²⁰¹           The memory of the Holy Apostle Tertius is celebrated by the Church on October 30

²⁰²           Paneada - a city in northern Palestine; otherwise called - Caesarea Filippova.

²⁰³           The death of St. Evod followed in 66 CE, the persecution of the Roman emperor Nero. The memory of Evod is celebrated on September 7

²⁰⁴           Colophon is the ancient city of Lydia, in the northwestern part of Asia Minor. Recently, the ruins of this city have been discovered.

²⁰⁵           Cyrenea - the main city of the region of the same name - was in Libya, on the northern coast of Africa, to the west of Egypt. It was a magnificent and richest city in northern Africa. Currently, only ruins remained of it.

²⁰⁶           The memory of the holy Apostle Onesiphorus is celebrated by the Church twice: September 7, December 8.

²⁰⁷           Sardica - the ancient Sardis or Sardis, the wealthy city of Lydia, in the northwestern part of Asia Minor, which was once the capital and residence of King Croesus, famous for his wealth. In the days of the apostles was still a significant city; the Christian Church arose early there. Currently, there is only an insignificant village, and only ruins testify to the past greatness of this city.

²⁰⁸           The celebration of the memory of the holy Apostle Sosthenes is performed by the Church twice a year: March 30 and December 8

²⁰⁹           The island of Crete (otherwise called Kandia - from the main city of the same name) is located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Aegean Sea. In its vastness and fertility, it was formerly called the "Queen of the Islands" of the Mediterranean Sea. Christianity began here in apostolic times; its first beginnings were laid by eyewitnesses of the event of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, for there were also Cretans ( Acts 2:11 ). Currently, Turks own Crete.

²¹⁰           The memory of the Holy Apostle Apollos is celebrated by the Church twice a year: March 30 and December 8

²¹¹           His memory is celebrated on December 8

²¹²           Adria or Adriaka is a city in Thrace near the Red Sea, not far from Philip, the city of Macedon, lying on the border with Thrace.

²¹³           Beria - a city in eastern Macedonia. The apostle Paul between 40–65 preached Christianity. by R. X. Currently, it is called Verria or Kara Verria (Black Veria); it has about 10,000 inhabitants.

²¹⁴           The memory of the Apostle Karp is celebrated on May 26

²¹⁵           His memory on September 21

²¹⁶           Hadrian - Roman emperor - reigned from 117 to 138

²¹⁷           Byblos is an ancient city in Phenicia, near the sea, between Tripolis and Berith, was famous as the center of the cult of Adonis, who built a magnificent temple here. Currently, on the site of Byblos, a small place called Jebel, in which only 600 people live. It is surrounded by the ruins of Roman times and the time of the Crusades, as well as extensive cemeteries in which there are Egyptian and Phoenician antiquities.

²¹⁸           Church celebrates his memory on September 27

²¹⁹           Apamea is one of the cities of Syria.

²²⁰           The memory of the apostles Aristarchus, Puda and Trofim is celebrated by the Holy Church on April 15

²²¹           Apolloniada - a city in Bithynia, the northern region of Asia Minor, later classified as Lydia

²²²           Lystra is one of the cities of Lycaonia, the middle region of Asia Minor, bordering Phrygia. Here the apostle Paul healed the lame, and the Gentiles, at the sight of this miracle, recognized him and Barnabas as gods ( Acts 14: 6-18 ).

²²³           His memory is celebrated on July 14.

²²⁴           Gaul - present-day France.

²²⁵           ! Eusebius, who for a long time occupied the episcopal chair in Caesarea Palestine and stood close to many great events of his time, is known as the father of church histories and, in general, the theologian of his writings, who were highly valued in the Christian Church, was distinguished by extensive scholarship; He lived from 268 to 340. Eusebius collected all the records and narratives about the martyrs in a single collection entitled: “The Collection of Ancient Martyrs”. This collection contained the tales of martyrs, bishops, confessors, holy wives and virgins in all dioceses. According to some, it consisted of 20, and according to the testimony of others - of 16 books.

²²⁶           St. Epiphanius - a contemporary of St. John Chrysostom, was a bishop on the island of Cyprus for 36 years. The famous father of the Church, who left behind many creations directed against the heresies of his time. He died in 408. His memory is celebrated on May 12

²²⁷           St. John of Damascus is a remarkable Christian songwriter and theologian who died in 776. For his zealous defense of st. icons against the iconoclasts his arm was cut off, but, by the will of God, again grew to the body. His memory is celebrated by the Church on December 4

²²⁸           The memory of St. Lazarus the Four-Day is celebrated by the Church on October 17 of his relics with Fr. Cyprus to Constantinople.

²²⁹           According to Eusebius and Jerome, Arimathea, too, is that Rama or Ramaph is a city on Mount Ephraim, two hours' journey north of Jerusalem, not far from Lida; otherwise called Ramafaim-Zofim. He was the fatherland of Joseph of Arimathea, one of the disciples of Christ ( John 19:38 ), a member of the Supreme Council of Judah, who buried Jesus Christ in his tomb carved in a rock.

²³⁰           St. Joseph is not supposed to have a festival, but he is remembered in the week of the “Myrrh-bearing women”.

²³¹           The memory of St. Nicodemus is celebrated by the Church on August 2 and in the week “Myrrh-bearing women”.

²³²           Together with St. Gamaliel died and his pious son Aviv, who also believed in Christ; the memory of saints Gamaliel and Aviv is celebrated by the Church on August 2

²³³           Ethiopia - in Africa, corresponds to the current Abyssinia. It was located in the upper reaches of the Nile River and bordered on the Fivaldiskoy area of ​​Egypt in the north, with Libya in the west, with southern Ethiopia in the south and the Arabian Gulf and the Black Sea in the east.

²³⁴           Caesarea Palestine is a city on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, built by the King of Judah Herod on the site of the ancient city of Straton and named after Caesar Augustus (Roman emperor Octavius Augustus). This city was subjected to repeated destruction, and now in its place there are only ruins covered with wild plants.

²³⁵           The Church commemorates Saint Zacchaeus at 32 weeks before the beginning of the Lenten Triodion.

²³⁶           Skepsy is a city in the western Asia Minor province of Misia.

²³⁷           The memory of St. Cornelius takes place on September 13

²³⁸           The memory of St. Longin the centurion is celebrated by the Holy Church on October 16

²³⁹           The memory of St. Ignatius the God-Bearer is celebrated by the Church twice a year: on January 29 by the relics of his disciples from Rome to Antioch and on December 20 the death of the saint.

²⁴⁰           Simeon Metafrast - famous church writer of the 10th century (940), compiler and collector of the Lives of the Saints, which he did on behalf of the Constantinople emperor Constantine VII (912–954). Motivated by great jealousy for the glory of the holy ascetics, Simeon not only gathered narratives about them, but partially reworked many of them and, most importantly, replaced the old, difficult and largely unintelligible speech with the purest and best syllable of his time. For this, Simeon received the name Metafrast, which means: reteller, re-reader. His works in this area subsequently served as the main source for Chetiikh-Miney sv. Dimitry of Rostov

²⁴¹           Memory of st. Polycarp is celebrated on February 23

²⁴²           The memory of the holy martyr Erofei is celebrated on October 4

²⁴³           His memory is celebrated by St. The church on April 11

²⁴⁴           Philadelphia is a Lydian city in Asia Minor, not far from Sard at the base of Mount Tmolus. The name was received from its founder Ashtal II Philadelphus, king of Pergamon. In ancient times, it was a rich, flourishing city with a large number of inhabitants. Currently, it is a small Christian town under the rule of the Turks.