Собор святых семидесяти Апостолов

In addition to the twelve apostles, the Lord Jesus Christ chose seventy others. The Holy Evangelist Luke speaks about this this way: “After this the Lord chose seventy other disciples, and sent them two by two before Him” (Luke 10:1). Twelve were with Him as witnesses of his life, and seventy prepared people to accept Christ the Savior, preaching earlier in those cities that Christ the Lord intended to visit. Subsequently, many of the Lord’s disciples, and, of course, including many of the seventy, fell away from Christ and stopped serving Him. The Holy Evangelist John writes: “Many of His disciples departed from Him and no longer walked with Him. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Will you also go away?” ( John 6:66–67 ) When the days of Christ’s suffering came, the number of Christ’s disciples diminished even more, and hardly any 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 filled by Matthew, but the face of the seventy was filled not immediately, but little by little - from among those who were converted to Christ by the twelve apostles and the preaching of the holy Apostle Paul, who was called from above to the same primacy and became, together with Peter, supreme in that face. Based on 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 Saint James, brother of the Lord, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in his letter to the Galatians, saying: “I went to Jerusalem to see Peter; But I saw no other of the apostles except James the brother of the Lord” (Gal. 1:18–19). He was installed as the first bishop of Jerusalem according to tradition, chosen and consecrated by Christ Himself during His earthly life. While preaching Christ in Jerusalem, the Apostle James was thrown by the Jews from the roof of the church to the ground, then stoned and died from a blow to the head with a club 126. Holy Evangelist Mark, who wrote the Holy Gospel under the leadership of the holy Apostle Peter, who mentions him in his first conciliar letter in the following words: “The church chosen like you in Babylon, and Mark my son, greets you” (1 Pet. 5:13). The same holy Apostle Peter installed Mark as a bishop in the city of Alexandria, 127 where for preaching about Christ the idolaters tied him up, 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 surrendered his spirit to Him 128. Holy Evangelist Luke, who wrote the Holy Gospel under the leadership of the holy Apostle Paul, who mentions him in the letter to the Colossians: “Luke, the beloved physician, greets you” (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. Died as a martyr in Achaia 131. Saint Cleopas, younger brother of Saint Joseph the Betrothed. On the road to Emmaus, together with Saint Luke, he saw the Lord after His resurrection, then he recognized the risen Christ when He appeared to the gathered disciples in one house, where he broke bread (Luke 24:13-35). For preaching about Christ, Saint Cleopas was killed by the Jews 132. Saint Simeon, a relative of 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 by 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 letter 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, served the gospel and first preached about Christ in Rome, and then was appointed bishop of Milan 134. He died in his homeland, on the island of Cyprus, where he was stoned by the persecutors of the faith of Christ. The Christians buried him with honor and placed with him in the coffin, according to his will, the Holy Gospel of Matthew, which Barnabas himself had once copied and from which 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, together with Matthew, was chosen to replace the fallen apostle Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:23), and in the letter of the holy Apostle Paul to the Colossians, in which the Apostle, listing the greetings of the faithful of the Colossian church, says: “also Jesus, who is called Justus” (Col. 4:11). The teachers of the Church say that this Josiah was the son of Joseph the Betrothed, like James, and Simon, and Judas, not Iscariot, and occupied the episcopal see in Eleutheropolis, 136 where he died a martyr’s death. 137 Saint Thaddeus was first a disciple of Saint John the Baptist, and then a disciple of Christ. He must be distinguished from the holy apostle Judas Thaddeus, or Levi, one of the twelve. He baptized the Edessa prince Abgar and healed him of leprosy. After long labors in the work of preaching the gospel of Christ, he rested in the Lord 138 in the Phoenician city of Berita 139. Saint Ananias, who baptized the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:10–18), was first a bishop in the city of Damascus 140. Saint Ananias ended his life in Eleutheropolis, where he was stoned by order of Hegemon Lucian 141. The Holy First Martyr Stephen, archdeacon, was the first to accept the crown of martyrdom for Christ, being stoned, which is why he was called the “First Martyr” 142. Shortly before his death, he was worthy 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 Magus in Samaria 143 and the eunuch of the Queen of Candace (Acts 8:26–39), was a bishop in the city of Trallia 144 and there, having enlightened many with the faith of Christ, in old age he departed to the Lord. 145 Saint Prochorus, one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5), companion of the holy Apostle John the Theologian and participant in his labors. He was the first bishop in the Bithynian city of Nicomedia 146, and then preached about Christ in Antioch 147, where he died a martyr. Saint Nicanor, one of the seven deacons, was put to death along with two thousand who believed in Christ, on the same day on which 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 brought against 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 he preached the name of Christ, he suffered much from the Jews and Greeks. Then, being thrown into a hot furnace, he came out unharmed and then went to the Lord. Saint Parmen, one of the seven deacons, performing the work of evangelism entrusted to him by the Apostles, died as a martyr before 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 martyr's death 151. Saint Titus also worked together with the holy Apostle Paul in the work of 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 letter to him. Saint Titus was the bishop of Gortyna, on the island of Crete. Died at a ripe old age in the world. 152 Saint Philemon, to whom the holy Apostle Paul wrote a special letter, was a bishop in Gaza 153. He died a martyr during the reign of Nero. 154 Saint Onesimus, about whom the holy Apostle Paul writes in his letter to Philemon (Phil. 1:10–19), preached Christianity in Spain, Greece and Asia Minor. He died a martyr shortly after the death of Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer, having been stoned in Rome. 155 Saint Epaphras, whom the holy Apostle Paul also mentions in the same letter to Philemon, saying: “Epaphras, a prisoner with me for the sake of Christ Jesus, greets you” (Phil. 1:23), was the bishop of the city of Colosse and the churches of Laodicea and Hierapolis 156. Together with the holy Apostle Paul, he was kept in prison in Rome, from where Paul wrote to the Colossians: “Epaphras, your servant of Jesus Christ, greets you, always striving for you in prayer, so that you may remain perfect and fulfilled with all that pleases God. I testify of him that he has great zeal and care for you and for those who are 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 Colossae 157; about which the holy Apostle Paul writes to the Colossians: “Say to Archippus: see that you fulfill the ministry which you have received in the Lord” (Col. 4:17). There Saint Arkhip died a martyr's death. 158 Saint Silas was a disciple and closest collaborator of the holy Apostle Paul, with whom he preached the word of God and endured many sufferings, wounds and imprisonment (Acts 16:13–24). He is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles: “Paul chose Power for himself and built up the churches” (Acts 15:40–41). Subsequently, he was a bishop in Corinth 159 and, having worked hard in preaching the word of God and having performed signs and wonders, he departed to the Lord. 160 Saint Silouan preached the word of God together with the holy apostles Peter and Paul. The holy Apostle Peter mentions him in his conciliar letter in the following words: “I wrote these things briefly to you through Silvanus, who, as I think, is your faithful brother” (1 Pet. 5:12). Likewise, the holy Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians: “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was preached among you by us, by me and by Silvanus” (2 Cor. 1:19). The Apostle Silouan was a bishop in Thessaloniki 161, where, having endured many disasters during his exploits to confirm the holy faith of Christ, he went to the Ascetic Christ. Saint Criscent 162, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in his second letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:10), was a bishop in Galatia 163, and then preached Christ in Gaul. There, in the city of Vienne 164, Crescent installed his disciple, Zacharias, as bishop, and again returned to Galatia, where he died as a martyr during the reign of Trajan 165. Saint Crispus, who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in the following words: “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house” (Acts 18:8), and about whom the holy Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians says that he “baptized Crispus” (1 Cor. 1:19), was a bishop on the island of Aegina, near the Peloponnese 166, between the Aegean and Ionian seas. Died in peace. Saint Epenetus, mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans, saying: “Greet my beloved Epenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia for Christ” (Rom. 16:5), was a bishop in Carthage 167. Saint Andronicus, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter to the Romans, saying: “Greet Andronicus,” and calls him his relative and fellow prisoner, one of the most important apostles who believed in Christ before him (Rom. 16:7), was a bishop in Pannonia 168. 169 died in the world. Saint Stachy, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter, saying: “Greet also Stachy, my beloved” (Rom. 16:9), was appointed by the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called as the first bishop of Byzantium. Together with him, Saint Stachys erected a church in Argyropolis 170, where many believers gathered, and he taught them the commandments of Christ. Saint Amplius, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter, saying: “Greet Amplius, my beloved in the Lord” (Rom. 16:8), was a bishop in the city of Diospolis 171, where he preached Christ. He died in the city of Odissa 172, having been put to death by the Greeks for his preaching about Christ 173. Saint Urban, whom the holy Apostle Paul recalls in the same letter, saying: “Greet Urban our fellow worker in Christ” (Rom. 16:9), was a bishop in Macedonia 174 and died a martyr 175. Saint Narcissus (October 31), whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter, saying: “Greet from the household of Narcissus those who are in the Lord” (Rom. 16:11), was a bishop in Athens 176. Saint Apellius, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter, saying: “Greet Apelles, tested in Christ” (Rom. 16:10), was the bishop of the city of Smyrna 177. Saint Aristobulus, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter, saying: “Greet the faithful from the house of Aristobulus” (Rom. 16:10), was a bishop in Britain 178 and died there after much labor and suffering 179. Saint Herodion, or Rodion, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter, saying: “Greet Herodion my relative” (Rom. 16:11), was a bishop in Patras 180. Died as a martyr 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 Agabus came from Judea, and took Paul’s belt and, tying his hands and feet, said: Thus says the Holy Spirit: The man whose belt is this will be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles” (Acts 21:10-11; cf. 11:28). The Apostle Agabus preached in many countries and converted many to Christ. 182 Saint Rufus (his memory is celebrated on April 8), whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the Epistle to the Romans, saying: “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord” (Rom. 16:13), was a bishop in Thebes, a city in Greece 183. Saint Asinkritus, who is mentioned in the same letter (Rom. 16:14), was a bishop in Hyrcania, a region of Asia Minor, where he suffered a lot for the name of Christ 184. Saint Phlegon, mentioned in the same letter (Rom. 16:14), was the bishop of Marathon, a city in Thrace 185. Saint Ermus, who is mentioned in the same letter (Rom. 16:14), was a bishop in Philippolis 186, where he died a martyr 187. Saint Patrov, mentioned in the same letter (Rom. 16:14), was a bishop in Naples 188 and Puteola 189, where he converted many to Christ 190. Saint Hermias (The memory of the Holy Apostle Hermias is celebrated by the Orthodox Church twice a year: April 8 and May 31), who is mentioned in the same message, was a bishop in Dalmatia 191. These five apostles are mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans in the following words: “Greet Asinkritus, Phlegontus, Hermas, Patrov, Hermias” (Rom. 16:14). Saint Linus, mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:21), was a bishop in Rome, after the holy Apostle Peter 192. Saint Gaius, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in his letter to the Romans, saying: “Gaius, my stranger and the whole church, greets you” (Rom. 16:23), was a bishop in Ephesus, after Saint Timothy. The Holy Philologist, whom the Holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter, saying: “Greet the Philologist” (Rom. 16:15), was made a bishop by the Holy Apostle Andrew in Sinope, 193 where he died in peace. 194 Saint Lucius, or Luke (His memory is celebrated on September 10), whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the same letter (Rom. 16:21), was a bishop in Laodicea of ​​Syria 195. Saint Jason, who is mentioned in the same letter (Rom. 16:21), was a bishop in Tarsus 196, where he suffered much for the name of Christ. Died at a ripe old age in the world 197. Saint Sosipater, also mentioned in Romans (Rom. 16:21), was a bishop at Iconium 198. Sosipater died in the world 199. About the last three apostles, the holy Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans writes this way: “Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives, greet you” (Rom. 16:21). Saint Olympanos, or Olympus, which is mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in the same letter (Rom. 16:15), was present at the suffering death of the holy Apostle Peter in Rome, and then he himself, together with the holy Apostle Herodion, was beheaded by order of Nero, as Metaphrastus writes in the legend on 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, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord” (Rom. 16:22). He was the second bishop in Iconium, after Saint Sosipater, and there he won the crown of martyrdom 201. Saint Erastus, mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in the same letter (Rom. 16:23), was a deacon and treasurer of the Jerusalem church, and then a bishop in Paneas 202. Saint Quart, or Quart, who is mentioned in the same epistle, was a bishop at Berith. The holy Apostle Paul writes about these two apostles: “Erastus, the city treasurer, and brother Quartus greet you” (Rom. 16:23). Saint Evod was Bishop of Antioch after Saint Peter. Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer mentions him in his letter to the Antiochians, saying: “Remember the blessed Evodas, your father, he is your first shepherd.” Died as a martyr 203. Saint Onesiphorus, mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy, saying: “May the Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, because he gave me rest many times and was not ashamed of my chains” (2 Tim. 1:16), was a bishop in Colophon 204 and Cyrene 205. Died as a martyr 206. Saint Clement, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in his letter to the Philippians, saying: “who labored together with me and with Clement” (Phil. 4:3), was a bishop in Sardica 207. Saint Sosthenes, who after Saint Crispus was the head of the Jewish synagogue in Corinth, was converted to Christianity by the holy Apostle Paul. The Acts of the Apostles says about him: “And all the Greeks seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat” (Acts 18:17). His name is mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul himself along with his own in his letter to the Corinthians, which begins like this: “Paul, called by the will of God an Apostle of Jesus Christ, and Sosthenes the brother” (1 Cor. 1:1). Subsequently, the holy Apostle Sosthenes was bishop in Colophon 208. Saint Apollos is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles: “A certain Jew, named Apollos, originally from Alexandria, an eloquent man and versed in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He was instructed in the rudiments of the way of the Lord and, burning in spirit, spoke and taught correctly about the Lord” (Acts 18:24-25). The holy Apostle Paul also mentions it in his first letter to the Corinthians, saying: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). Subsequently, Apollos was in Crete 209 and even later was bishop of Caesarea 210. Saint Tychicus 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, where it is said: “so that you also may know about my deeds, Tychicus, a beloved brother and a faithful servant in the Lord, will inform you of everything, whom I sent to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and so that he will comfort your hearts” ( Eph.6:21–22). And again, in the second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul says: “I sent Tychicus to Ephesus” (2 Tim. 4:12; cf. Titus 3:12). Tychicus was bishop of Colophon after Saint Sosthenes 211. Saint Epaphroditus is mentioned in the letter of the holy Apostle Paul to the Philippians, where the Apostle Paul says: “However, I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and companion, and your messenger and minister in my need” (Phil. 2:25). Epaphroditus was a bishop in Adriak 212. Saint Carp, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in his second letter to Timothy in the following words: “When you go, bring the phelonion that I left in Troas with Carp, and books” (2 Tim. 4:13), was a bishop in Beria of Thrace 213. Ended his life in the world 214. Saint Codratus was a bishop in Athens and Magnesia, where, preaching the word of the Lord, he suffered martyrdom at the hands of the Athenians 215 under King Hadrian 216. Saint Mark, also known as John, who, as a companion of Paul and Barnabas, is mentioned many times in the Acts of the Apostles, as for example in the following place: “And Barnabas and Saul, having fulfilled their assignment, returned from Jerusalem (to Antioch), taking with them John, called Mark” (Acts 12, etc.), was a bishop in the city of Byblos, in Phenicia 217. Saint Mark performed many miracles and had such gracious power that the sick were healed from his shadow alone 218 . Saint Zina, nicknamed the Lawyer, that is, the teacher of the law of Moses, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in his letter to Titus, saying: “Take care to send Zina the lawyer to me” (Titus 3:13), was a bishop in Diospolis. Saint Aristarchus, who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 19:29) and in the letters of the holy Apostle Paul to the Colossians (Col.4:10) and to Philemon (Phil.1:23), was a bishop in the city of Apamea 219. Saint Pud, mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy, saying: “Pud also greets you” (2 Tim. 4:21), was a member of the Roman Senate. He was a pious man, he received the holy apostles Peter and Paul and many believers in his home. Subsequently, his house was turned into a church, which was called “Pastoral” and in which, according to legend, the holy Apostle Peter officiated. Saint Trophimus, who is mentioned twice in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 20:4, 21:29) and the holy Apostle Paul in the same letter to Timothy, saying: “But I left Trophimus sick at Miletus” (2 Tim. 4:20), together with the apostles Pudus and Aristarchus, accompanied the Apostle Paul in all the persecutions and, finally, when the saint The Apostle Paul in Rome under Nero was beheaded with a sword, and together with his two companions he was also beheaded 220. Saint Mark (his memory is celebrated on October 30), nephew of the Apostle Barnabas, was a bishop in Apollonias of Bithynia 221. The holy Apostle Paul mentions him in his letter to the Colossians, together with the above-mentioned Apostle Aristarchus: “Aristarchus, who was imprisoned with me, and Mark, the nephew of Barnabas, greet you” (Col. 4:10). Saint Artema (His memory is celebrated on October 30), about whom the holy Apostle Paul speaks in his letter to Titus: “When I send Artema to you” (Titus 3:12), was a bishop in Lystra 222. Saint Aquila, who is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 18:1-3) and in the epistles of the Apostle Paul (Rom. 16:3-4, etc.), was a bishop in Heraclea, preached the word of God in Asia and Achaia and received a martyr’s crown for his preaching 223. Saint Fortunatus, mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 16:17-18), worked tirelessly preaching the name of Christ; and after much labor he accepted a blessed death. Saint Achaic, who, together with Fortunatus, is mentioned in the same letter to the Corinthians by the holy Apostle Paul, saying: “I rejoice at the arrival of Stephen, Fortunatus and Achaic: they made up for your absence for me, for they calmed my spirit and yours” (1 Cor. 16:17-18). Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, mentioned in 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 ranks is evidenced by Eusebius, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine 225, who, listing the 70 apostles, says: “add to them that Areopagite named Dionysius, about whom Luke writes in the Acts of the Apostles that he was converted to the faith by the preaching of Paul in Athens.” Saint Simeon, nicknamed Niger; The holy Apostle Luke mentions him in Acts, saying: “In Antioch, in the church there there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon, who is called Niger” (Acts 13:1). Saint Epiphanius testifies to the fact that he also belonged to the apostolic ranks, placing him among the apostles, for he lists their names as follows: “Mark, Luke, Justus, Barnabas, Apellius, Rufus, Nigra (i.e. Simeon Nigra) and seventy-two others 226. Thus, Saint Epiphanius certifies to us that the face of these lesser apostles consists of seventy-two faces and that Saint Simeon Niger was one of this number of apostles. In addition, Saint John of Damascus 227, in the Octoechos of the fifth tone on Wednesday at Vespers, after the twelve apostles, mentions the council of seventy-two apostles, saying: the all-powerful ten in two appeared perfectly, seeing the one-zealous council, seventy and two. Through the gracious prayers of all these apostles, may we also be honored to be partakers of heavenly bliss and to behold the Highest Apostle and Bishop of our confession, Jesus Christ, praising him with God the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever, amen. Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, in the first book of his history, in the twelfth chapter, writes the following: “the name of each (of the twelve) apostles of Christ is quite well known to every one of the Gospel testimonies, but there is no completely accurate list of the seventy apostles anywhere. If you look more closely 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: “That (Christ appeared after His resurrection) to Cephas, then to the twelve; then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, and some have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:5-6). Of these many who labored in the work of preaching the gospel of Christ, in the primacy of the Church, who enlightened various countries with faith like the holy apostles and were therefore worthy of the name of apostle, we will mention some here in particular. Saint Lazarus, who was dead for four days and resurrected by the Lord. During the persecution of the Church of Jerusalem, after the murder of the holy protomartyr 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, Maximin, and with Saint Celidonius, who was born blind, but was healed by the Lord. By Divine will, the boat sailed to the island of Cyprus, and Saint Lazarus began preaching about Christ in the city of Kydonia. Subsequently, in this city he was ordained by the Apostle Barnabas to the rank of bishop, and there on the island of Cyprus he rested in peace. His holy body, many years later, 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 most pure body from Pilate (Luke 23:50–52; Matt. 27:67; Mark 15:42; John 19:38), was also expelled by envious Jews from the borders of Judea and preached Christ in England, where he reposed. He is revered by the inhabitants of England 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 they heard Him Himself and considered His case (John 7:50-51), and then, together with Joseph, gave the body of Jesus to burial and anointed it with aromas (John 19:39), - also suffered from the Jews for faith in Christ and the Apostles sermon, and was expelled from Judea 231. Saint Gamaliel was the teacher of Saint Apostle Paul. He gave prudent advice to the Sanhedrin regarding the preaching of the holy apostles, saying: “If this work is from men, then it will be destroyed; and if it is from God, then you cannot destroy it; Take heed lest you also prove to be enemies of God” (Acts 6:34–40). After the martyrdom of Archdeacon Stephen, he took his body and buried him in his village near Jerusalem. He also hid Saint Nicodemus, who was exiled for preaching Christ, whom he buried after his death near the tomb of the holy First Martyr Stephen, where he himself was later buried 232. The eunuch of the Ethiopian queen Candace, baptized by the holy Apostle Philip on the road (Acts 8:26–39) and who converted this queen to Christ, was the first preacher of Christ in Ethiopia, 233 where he died a martyr’s death. Saint Zacchaeus, who joyfully received the Lord in his house and heard from Him: “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:1-10). After the Ascension of the Lord, Zacchaeus followed the holy Apostle Peter; he was appointed bishop of Caesarea in Palestine 234, where he preached about Christ 235. Saint Cornelius the centurion, baptized by the holy Apostle Peter (Acts 10), by whom he was later appointed bishop, preached Christ in the city of Skepsia 236, where he died in peace 237. Saint Longinus the centurion, who stood guard at the Cross of the Lord and confessed that Jesus is truly the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). After the burial of the Lord, Longinus again stood guard at the Holy Sepulcher and was an eyewitness of the Resurrection of Christ, which he testified to before everyone. Subsequently, he preached about Christ in Cappadocia, where he suffered martyrdom 238. Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer, according to legend, is the same child whom the Lord took into His arms and pointed to to the Apostles, saying: “Unless you are like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:2–5; Mark 9:37). He was ordained Bishop of Antioch by the Holy Apostle Peter, where he preached about Christ. He ended his life as a martyr in Rome, being given over to be torn to pieces by lions 239. Saint Polycarp was the bishop of the city of Smyrna. He, like the Apostles, tirelessly preached the word of God, wrote letters to newly converted Christians, and was vigilantly concerned about the welfare and spiritual benefit of his flock. Blessed Simeon Metaphrastus 240 in the life of Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer directly calls Polycarp the Divine Apostle, saying: “They arrived in Smyrna and there Saint Ignatius kissed Saint Polycarp, the Divine Apostle, his fellow disciple.” He died a martyr's death in Rome 241. Saint Erofei, one of the members of the Athenian Areopagus; The holy Christian faith was taught by the holy Apostle Paul, by whom he was appointed bishop in Athens. Together with the other holy Apostles, Saint Erofei was transported by air to the tomb of the Mother of God, after the Dormition of the Most Pure Mother of God to Jerusalem. Died as a martyr 242. Saint Antipas, Bishop of Pergamon, also suffered for his apostolic preaching of Christ 243. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself said about him in the Revelation of St. John the Theologian: “Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed” (Rev. 2:13). Saint Demetrius, mentioned by the holy Apostle John the Theologian in his third letter (3 John 1:12). Saint Demetrius was a bishop in the Asian city of Philadelphia 244. Let us praise the seventy faces of Christ’s disciples, Divinely faithful, in songs: with those who are all accustomed to honor the inseparable Trinity, and the lamps of the Divine faith abid His memory is celebrated by the Church on October 23 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 ancient times it was a rich commercial and industrial city. Currently, Alexandria is one of the most fortified port cities and the most important trading points on the Mediterranean Sea, with a population of up to 230,000 people. His memory is celebrated on April 25 The memory of the holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on October 18, and the day of the transfer of his relics is April 22. Boeotia is a region of central Greece. As Saint Gregory the Theologian testifies to this in his first word on Emperor Julian. According to legend, in the very house in which he and Saint Luke recognized the risen Christ through the breaking of bread by Him. The celebration of his memory was established by the Church on April 27 Mediolan - now Milan - is the most significant city in Northern Italy, in the region of Lombardy; founded in ancient times and has always been of great importance. The memory of the Holy Apostle Barnabas is celebrated especially on June 11 Eleutheropolis is a city in southern Palestine, on the road between Jerusalem and Gaza. At present, there is a village located here, lying at the exit from the plain of Sephel into the mountainous land of Judah. Not far from it lie the ruins of ancient Eleutheropolis. Celebration of his memory on October 30 The memory of the Holy Apostle Thaddeus is celebrated by the Church on August 21 Berit - present-day Beirut - the ancient city of Phenicia, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea; in the 5th century it flourished and was famous for its higher school of rhetoric, poetry and law; now it is the main administrative city of Asian-Turkish Syria and the most important trading point on the Syrian coast, with a population of up to 180,000 inhabitants. Damascus is the main, richest trading city of Syria, one of the oldest cities in the whole world; lies northeast of Palestine, with the Barada River flowing through it, in a beautiful and fertile plain, at the eastern base of Anti-Lebanon. And currently, Damascus, which is part of the Turkish Empire, is one of the richest cities in Asia and has up to 150 thousand inhabitants. Memory app. Ananias is celebrated by the Holy Church on October 1 The memory of the Holy Protomartyr Stephen is celebrated by the Church three times a year: on December 27, on the day of the saint’s martyrdom, on September 15, when the discovery of his relics is celebrated, and on August 2, on the day of the transfer of the relics of St. Stephen from Jerusalem to Constantinople. 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 – Judea, to the east – Jordan, to the west – the Mediterranean Sea. Samaria, the main city of the country of Samaria and once the capital of the kingdom of Israel, was located at a distance of almost three miles north of Jerusalem. Currently, there is no stone left unturned from the ancient glorious city - in its place there is only one poor village of Sabustier (formerly the city of Sevastia). Trallia is a Lydian city in the northwest of Asia Minor. The memory of the Apostle Philip is celebrated by the Church on October 11 Nicomedia is a rich and flourishing city in the region of Bithynia, in the northwestern part of Asia Minor. Many ruins remain from the ancient flourishing Nicomedia, testifying to its glorious past. Antioch is the capital of Syria, the oldest and richest city; Antioch lies near the Orontes River, about 10 versts from its confluence with the Mediterranean Sea, between the mountain ranges of Lebanon and Taurus. Currently, Antioch is under Turkish rule and is a small and poor town with up to 10 thousand inhabitants. Bostra is a city in Arabia. In ancient times there was a rich trading city. Now in ruins. The surviving long rows of stone shops testify to its former power and wealth. The memory of the holy apostles: Prochorus, Nikanor, Timon and Parmen is celebrated together on July 28th. Nikanor is celebrated on December 28 and the memory of St. Timona December 30. Ephesus is the main city of the Asia Minor province of Asia; located on the Kaistra River. Currently, on the site of the ancient city of Ephesus there is a poor Turkish village called Aysya-Solyuk. The memory of the Holy Apostle Timothy is celebrated by the Church on January 22 Memory of St. Apostle Titus is celebrated on August 25 Gaza is one of the most ancient Philistine cities, which served as the border of the Canaanites in the south of Palestine. Subsequently, this flourishing city lost all its significance, and now only sandy hills and miserable ruins serve as evidence that a great city once existed here. Not far from here is a new city of later origin, of the same name. The Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of Saint Apostle Philemon on February 19 During the reign of the Roman Emperor Trajan around 109. Memory of St. Apostle Onesimus is celebrated on February 15 Colossae is a city in the southwestern part of Phrygia, near the Lycus River, near Laodicea and Hierapolis. In ancient times there was a large, populated, rich city. Currently, this is a small village on one of the slopes of Mount Hokas, where the ruins of the ancient city of Colossae are still preserved. The memory of the Holy Apostle Archippus is celebrated by the Church on February 19 Corinth is the oldest, famous and rich trading city of Achali, a beautiful and fertile 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. His memory is celebrated on July 30 Thessaloniki, or Thessalonica, is a very significant, ancient city of Macedonia, lying in the depths of the large Thessalonica, or Thermaean, Gulf of 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. His memory is celebrated on July 30 Galatia is a small mountainous but fertile province of Asia Minor, lying between Phrygia, Bithynia, Pontus and Cappadocia. It got its name from the Galatians - warlike tribes of Gallic or Celtic origin. Vienna - 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. Rhone. Currently, the city is rich in remains of Roman antiquities. Trajan - Roman emperor - reigned from 98-117. Peloponnese is the southern part of Greece. Carthage is the oldest, 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 splendor for a very long time. Pannonia is one of the significant Danube regions of the Roman Empire; Pannonia is now part of Hungary. Memory of the Holy Apostle Andronicus St. The church celebrates three times a year: May 17, July 30 and February 22. Argyropolis, now Fundukli, a suburb of Constantinople, near Pera and Galata Diospolis was located in Palestine, north-west of Jerusalem. Odissa is a city in Misia, in the northwestern part of Asia Minor, now Varna - a pier at the northeastern slope of the Balkans, on the Black Sea coast, has more than 25,000 inhabitants. His memory is celebrated by the Church on October 31 Macedonia was located north of Greece, between Illyria, Thrace, the Aegean Sea and Getae or the Balkans. For some time it constituted an independent state, which especially rose and became famous under Tsar Alexander the Great. At the time of the Apostles, Macedonia was part of the Roman Empire. Now it is in the power of the Turks. Memory of St. Apostle Urvan October 31 Athens is the capital of the ancient Greek state; famous for its buildings, statues, development of trade and industry, and especially schools. Here, until later times (6th century BC), there were famous philosophical schools in which residents of ancient countries were educated. Smyrna is a famous trading city of Ionia, on the eastern shore of the Aegean Sea (or Archipelago), one of the oldest cities in Asia Minor. Smyrna was enlightened with Christianity by the holy Apostle John the Theologian. Currently, Smyrna belongs to the Turks, but the Orthodox Christian faith remains there to this day. The city remains to this day one of the most prosperous and very populated cities of the Turkish Empire. Britannia is the ancient name of England. Memory of St. Apostle Aristobulus is celebrated by the Church twice a year: March 16 and October 31. Patras, or Patara, is a seaside trading city in the Asia Minor province of Lycia (now Anatolia). Founded by the Phoenicians; now in ruins. The memory of the Holy Apostle Herodion is celebrated by the Church on April 8 and November 10. Thebes is the main city of Boeotia, a region of Greece. Marathon is an ancient city in Thrace, which lay northeast of Macedonia. Philippolis is an ancient fortified city in Thrace, now in Eastern Rumelia, on the Maritsa River; hitherto very significant in its industry and population. His memory is celebrated by the Church on March 8 and November 5. Naples is the main city of the province of the Kingdom of Italy with the same name, located on the northern shore of the Bay of Naples. Puteoli is a seaside town in Italy on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, near Naples, in the Campania region. Memory of St. ap. Patrova November 5 Dalmatia is the southern part of the Illyrian province, which bordered Pannonia in the north, Italy and the Adriatic Sea in the west. Sinop is a city on the southern coast of the Black Sea. Laodicea of ​​Syria - once the main city of Phrygia, in the southwest of it, in Asia Minor, near the Lycus River; was famous for its wide trade. Currently, only one ruins on one low hill, near the devastated village of Eski-Gassara, serve as a monument to that ancient city. Tarsus is a large and populated city of Cilicia (the southeastern province of Asia Minor), in its southern part, in a fertile plain, near the Kydna River, not far from which it flows into the Mediterranean Sea. And at present Tarsus is still a fairly significant trading city. The memory of the Apostle Jason is celebrated on April 28 Iconium is a city on a high fertile plain in the interior of Asia Minor, at the foot of Mount Taurus; was once the main city of Lycaonia; now Konya, the main city of the Malaysian Turkish region of Karamaniya. Memory of St. ap. Olympus is celebrated on November 10 The memory of the Holy Apostle Tertius is celebrated by the Church on October 30 Paneada is a city in northern Palestine; otherwise called Caesarea Philippi. The death of Saint Evoda followed in the year 66 after the Nativity of Christ, during the persecution of the Roman Emperor Nero. The memory of Evod is celebrated on September 7 Colophon is an ancient city of Lydia, in the northwestern part of Asia Minor. Recently, the ruins of this city have been discovered. Cyrene, the main city of the region of the same name, was located in Libya, on the northern coast of Africa, west of Egypt. It was the most magnificent and richest city in northern Africa. Currently, only ruins remain of it. The memory of the holy Apostle Onesiphorus is celebrated by the Church twice: on September 7 and December 8. Sardica - ancient Sardis, or Sardis, a rich 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 apostolic times it was still a significant city; The Christian Church also arose there early. At present there is only an insignificant village here, and only the ruins testify to the past greatness of this city. The celebration of the memory of the Holy Apostle Sosthenes is celebrated by the Church twice a year: March 30 and December 8 The island of Crete (otherwise called Candia - from the main city of the same name) is located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Aegean Sea. Due to its vastness and fertility, it was formerly called the “queen of the islands” of the Mediterranean Sea. Christianity here began in apostolic times; its first foundations were laid by eyewitnesses of the event of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, for the Cretans were also present (Acts 2:11). Currently, Crete is owned by the Turks. The memory of the Holy Apostle Apollos is celebrated by the Church twice a year: March 30 and December 8 His memory is celebrated on December 8 Adria, or Adriaka, is a city in Thrace near the Black Sea, not far from Philippi, a city of Macedon, which lay on the border with Thrace. Beria is a city in eastern Macedonia. The Apostle Paul preached Christianity in it between 40–65. according to R. X. Currently it is called Verria or Kara Verria (Black Verria); it has about 10,000 inhabitants. The memory of Apostle Karp is celebrated on May 26 Hadrian - Roman Emperor - reigned from 117 to 138. Byblos, an ancient city in Phenicia, not far from the sea, between Tripolis and Berytus, was famous as the center of the cult of Adonis, for whom a magnificent church was built here. Currently, on the site of Byblos there is a small place called Jebel, with only 600 inhabitants. It is surrounded by ruins from Roman and Crusade times, as well as extensive cemeteries containing Egyptian and Phoenician antiquities. The Church celebrates his memory on September 27 Apamea is one of the cities of Syria. The memory of the apostles Aristarchus, Pud and Trophimus is celebrated by the Holy Church on April 15 Apollonias is a city in Bithynia, the northern region of Asia Minor, later included in Lydia. Lystra is one of the cities of Lycaonia, the middle region of Asia Minor, bordering Phrygia. Here the Apostle Paul healed a lame man, and the pagans, seeing this miracle, recognized him and Barnabas as gods (Acts 14:6–18). His memory is celebrated on July 14 Gaul is present-day France. Eusebius, who for a long time occupied the episcopal see in Caesarea Palestine and was close to many great events of his time, is known as the father of church history and in general a theologian, whose works were highly valued in the Christian Church, distinguished by his extensive scholarship; lived from 268 to 340. Eusebius collected together all the records and stories about the martyrs in a collection called: “Collection of Ancient Martyrs.” This collection contained stories about martyrs, bishops, confessors, holy wives and virgins in all dioceses. It consisted, according to some, of 20, and according to others, of 16 books. St. Epiphanius, a contemporary of St. John Chrysostom, was a bishop on the island of Cyprus for 36 years. A famous father of the Church, who left behind many works directed against the heresies of his time. Died in 408. His memory is celebrated on May 12 St. John of Damascus is a remarkable Christian hymn writer and theologian, who died in 776. For his zealous defense of St. icons against the iconoclasts, his hand was cut off, but, by the will of God, it grew back to his body. His memory is celebrated by the Church on December 4 The memory of Saint Lazarus of the Four Days is celebrated by the Church on October 17, when the transfer of his relics from Fr. Cyprus to Constantinople. According to Eusebius and Jerome, Arimathea is the same as Rama, or Ramatha, a city on Mount Ephraim, two hours north of Jerusalem, not far from Lydda; otherwise called Ramaphaim-Tzophim. It was the fatherland of Joseph of Arimathea, one of the disciples of Christ (John 19:38), a member of the supreme council of the Jews, who buried Jesus Christ in his tomb carved into the rock. There are no celebrations for Saint Joseph, but he is remembered on the week of the Myrrh-Bearing Women. The memory of Saint Nicodemus is celebrated by the Church on August 2 and on the week of the Myrrh-Bearing Women. Together with St. His pious son Aviv, who also believed in Christ, also died under Gamaliel; the memory of Saints Gamaliel and Aviv is celebrated by the Church on August 2 Ethiopia is in Africa, corresponding to present-day Abyssinia. It was located in the upper reaches of the Nile River and bordered the Thebaid region of Egypt in the north, Libya in the west, southern Ethiopia in the south, and the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea in the east. Caesarea Palestine is a city on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, built by the Jewish king 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 at present in its place there are only ruins covered with wild plants. The Church commemorates Saint Zacchaeus in the 32nd week, before the beginning of the Lenten Triodion. Skepsia is a city in the western Asia Minor province of Mysia. Saint Cornelius is commemorated on September 13 The memory of Saint Longinus the Centurion is celebrated by the Holy Church on October 16 The memory of Saint Ignatius the God-Bearer is celebrated by the Church twice a year: on January 29, when the transfer of the relics of his disciples from Rome to Antioch is commemorated, and on December 20, the day of the saint’s death. Symeon Metaphrastus is a famous church writer of the 10th century. (940), compiler and collector of the Lives of the Saints, which he did on behalf of the Emperor of Constantinople, Constantine VII (912–954). Driven by great zeal for the glory of the holy ascetics, Simeon not only collected stories about them, but reworked many of them, partially shortened them and, most importantly, replaced the ancient, difficult and largely incomprehensible speech with a pure and better style that was modern to him. For this, Simeon received the name Metaphrastus, which means: reteller, translator. His works in this area subsequently served as the main source for the Chety-Menya of St. Dimitry of Rostov Memory of St. Polycarp is celebrated on February 23 The memory of the Hieromartyr Erofey is celebrated on October 4 His memory is celebrated by St. Church on April 11 Philadelphia is a Lydian city in Asia Minor, not far from Sardis, at the foot of Mount Tmolus. It received its name from its founder Ashtal II Philadelphus, king of Pergamon. In ancient times it was a rich, prosperous city with a large number of inhabitants. Currently it is a small Christian town under Turkish rule. You might be interested in: