Rufus of Thebes () is numbered among the

Seventy Disciples The seventy disciples (Greek language, Greek: ἑβδομήκοντα μαθητές, ''hebdomikonta mathetes''), known in the Eastern Christianity, Eastern Christian traditions as the seventy apostles (Greek language, Greek: ἑβδομήκον� ...

in Eastern Orthodox tradition. He was bishop of Thebes in Greece, and according to some traditions is referenced in

Romans Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of Roman civilization *Epistle to the Romans, shortened to Romans, a letter w ...

16:13. However, according to

Easton's Bible Dictionary The ''Illustrated Bible Dictionary'', better known as ''Easton's Bible Dictionary'', is a reference work on topics related to the Christian Bible, compiled by Matthew George Easton. The first edition was published in 1893, and a revised editio ...

the Rufus in Romans 16 could well have been the

Rufus Rufus is a masculine given name, a surname, an Ancient Roman cognomen and a nickname (from Latin ''wikt:rufus, rufus'', "red"). Notable people with the name include: Given name Politicians * Marcus Caelius Rufus, (28 May 82 BC – after 48 ...

mentioned in Mark. His

feast day The calendar of saints is the traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the day as the feast day or feast of said saint. The word "feast" in this context does n ...

is 8 April, and he is also commemorated on 4 January with the other

Seventy Apostles The seventy disciples (Greek: ἑβδομήκοντα μαθητές, ''hebdomikonta mathetes''), known in the Eastern Christian traditions as the seventy apostles (Greek: ἑβδομήκοντα απόστολοι, ''hebdomikonta apostoloi''), w ...

Hymns

Troparion A troparion (Greek , plural: , ; Georgian: , ; Church Slavonic: , ) in Byzantine music and in the religious music of Eastern Orthodox Christianity is a short hymn of one stanza, or organised in more complex forms as series of stanzas. The wi ...

(Tone 1)

:Let us praise in hymns the six–fold choir of Apostles: : Herodion of Patras, Herodion and

Agabus Agabus (; ; ) was an early follower of Christianity from Syria mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as a prophet. He is traditionally remembered as one of the Seventy Disciples described in Luke . Name The name Agabus derived from the Aram ...

, :Rufus,

Asyncritus Asyncritus of Hyrcania, also Asynkritos (, meaning "incomparable"), was numbered among the Seventy Disciples. He was bishop of Hyrcania in Asia. Saint Paul mentions him in his letter to the Romans (cf. 16:14). The Eastern Orthodox Church remember ...

, Phlegon and holy

Hermes Hermes (; ) is an Olympian deity in ancient Greek religion and mythology considered the herald of the gods. He is also widely considered the protector of human heralds, travelers, thieves, merchants, and orators. He is able to move quic ...

. :They ever entreat the

Trinity The Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the Christian doctrine concerning the nature of God, which defines one God existing in three, , consubstantial divine persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit, thr ...

for our souls!

Kontakion A kontakion (Greek , ''kondákion'', plural κοντάκια, ''kondákia'') is a form of hymn in the Byzantine liturgical tradition. The kontakion form originated in Syriac hymnography and gained prominence in Byzantium during the 6th century, ...

(Tone 2) :You became the

disciples A disciple is a follower and student of a mentor, teacher, or other figure. It can refer to: Religion * Disciple (Christianity), a student of Jesus Christ * Twelve Apostles of Jesus, sometimes called the Twelve Disciples * Seventy disciples in t ...

Christ Jesus ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Christianity, central figure of Christianity, the M ...

:And all-holy Apostles, :O glorious Herodion, Agabus and Rufus, :Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermes. :Ever entreat the Lord :To grant forgiveness of transgressions :To us who sing your praises. Kontakion (Tone 4) :Like stars, O holy Apostles, :You illumine the way of the faithful with the light of the

Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit, otherwise known as the Holy Ghost, is a concept within the Abrahamic religions. In Judaism, the Holy Spirit is understood as the divine quality or force of God manifesting in the world, particularly in acts of prophecy, creati ...

. :You dispel the darkness of error as you gaze on God the Word!

Sources

*St.

Nikolai Velimirovic Nikolai or Nikolay is an East Slavic variant of the masculine name Nicholas. It may refer to: People Royalty * Nicholas I of Russia (1796–1855), or Nikolay I, Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855 * Nicholas II of Russia (1868–1918), or Niko ...

, ''The

Prologue from Ohrid The ''Prologue from Ohrid'' was compiled by Saint Nikolai Velimirovic (1881–1956). Bishop Nikolai's work is a compilation of lives of saints, hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically writte ...

External links

Apostle Rufus of the Seventy and those with him
( OCA)
Agavos, Rouphos, Asynkritos, Phlegon, Herodion, & Hermes of the 70 Apostles
(

GOARCH The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOArch; ), headquartered in New York City, is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its current primate is Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese comp ...

)
The Holy Apostles Herodian, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermes
(''Prologue from Ohrid'')

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rufus Of Thebes Seventy disciples Christian saints from the New Testament 1st-century bishops in Roman Achaea Saints of Roman Achaia Bishops of Thebes, Greece