The Apostles St Asyncritus, St Herodion, St Rufus, St Agabus, St Phlegon and St Hermes of the Seventy Apostles

    Saint Asyncritus  (Greek: Ἀσύγκριτος, meaning "incomparable"), was one of the Seventy Apostles chosen by Christ and sent out by Him to preach (Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles: January 4). St Asyncritus (Rom. 16:14) was bishop in Hyrcania (Asia Minor).

St Herodion of Patras (also Herodian or Rodion; Greek Ἡρωδίων, Ἡρωδιανός, Ῥοδίων) was a relative of Saint Paul whom Paul greets in Romans 16:11. According to tradition, he was numbered among the Seventy Disciples and became bishop of Neopatras, where he suffered greatly. .Enraged by the preaching of the disciple, the idol-worshippers and Jews with one accord fell upon St Herodion, and they began to beat him with sticks and pelt him with stones. One of the mob struck him with a knife, and the saint fell down. But when the murderers were gone, the Lord restored him to health unharmed. After this, St Herodion continued to accompany the Apostle Paul for years afterward. He was beheaded with Olympas in Rome while they were serving Saint Peter on the same day that St. Peter was crucified. His feast days are celebrated on January 4 among the Seventy, April 8, and November 10.

Saint Rufus was one of the Seventy Apostles chosen by Christ and sent out by Him to preach. St Rufus, whom the holy Apostle Paul mentions in the Epistle to the Romans (Romans 16:11-15), was bishop of the Greek city of Thebes. He is also commemorated on January 4 (The Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles).

Saint Agabus was one of the Seventy Apostles chosen by Christ and sent out by Him to preach (Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles: January 4). The holy Apostle Agabus was endowed with the gift of prophecy. He predicted (Acts 11:27-28) the famine during the reign of the emperor Claudius (41-52), and foretold the suffering of the Apostle Paul at Jerusalem (Acts 21:11). St Agabus preached in many lands, and converted many pagans to Christ.

Saint Phlegon was one of the Seventy Apostles, chosen by Christ and sent out by Him to preach (Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles: January 4). St Phlegon was bishop in the city of Marathon (Thrace).

Saint Hermes was one of the Seventy Apostles chosen by Christ and sent out by Him to preach (Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles: January 4). St Hermes was bishop in Dalmatia (there is another Apostle of the Seventy by the name of Hermas, who was bishop in the Thracian city of Philippopolis).

All these disciples for their intrepid service to Christ underwent fierce sufferings and were found worthy of a martyr’s crown.

Let us praise in hymns the six–fold choir of Apostles:

Herodion and Agapus,

Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and holy Hermes.

They ever entreat the Trinity for our souls!

Kontakion (Tone 2)

You became the disciples of Christ 

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.

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