Eastern Rite ~ Feasts of 10 November AM 7533

Today is the Feast of the Holy Apostles Erastus, Olympas, Rodion and Those with Them.

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The holy Apostles Erastus, Sosipater (April 28), Olympas (January 4), Rodion (April 8), Quartus and Tertius (October 30) were disciples of Saint Paul. They all lived during the first century.

The Apostle to the Gentiles speaks of them in the Epistle to the Romans, “And Erastus, the city treasurer, greets you, and Quartus, a brother” (Rom 16: 23).

Saint Sosipater, a native of Achaia, was Bishop of Iconium, where he also died. Saint Paul mentions him in Romans 16:21.

Saint Olympas was mentioned by the holy Apostle Paul (Rom 16:15). He was also a companion of the Apostle Peter. Saint Rodion (Herodion), was a kinsman of the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:11), and left the bishop’s throne at Patras to go to Rome with the Apostle Peter. Saints Rodion and Olympas were beheaded on the very day and hour when Saint Peter was crucified.

Saint Quartus endured much suffering for his piety and converted many pagans to Christ, dying peacefully as a bishop in the city of Beirut.

Saint Tertius is mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans, “I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord” (Rom 16:22). Saint Tertius, to whom Saint Paul dictated the Epistle to the Romans, was the second Bishop of Iconium, where also he died.

Troparion — Tone 3

Holy Apostles, Erastus, Olympas, Herodion, Sosipater, Quartus and Tertius, / entreat the merciful God, / to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Kontakion — Tone 2

Illumined by divine light, O holy apostles, / you wisely destroyed the works of idolatry. / When you caught all the pagans you brought them to the Master / and taught them to glorify the Trinity.