Difference between revisions of "Apostles"

From OrthodoxWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
m (Exteral link: plural)
m (The Seventy: link)
(6 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 39: Line 39:
 
:We glorify him who has glorified them!
 
:We glorify him who has glorified them!
 
==The Seventy==
 
==The Seventy==
 +
:''Main article: [[Seventy Apostles]]
 
The Seventy Apostles are those whom the Lord chose (described in [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 10:1-16) in addition to the Twelve and sent forth to assist in the work of preaching.  Over time, the Twelve added others to their number, who were sent out with the original Seventy to preach the gospel.  Although this number eventually exceeded seventy, they were all nevertheless referred to as "of the Seventy" out of reverence to the number which the Lord originally chose.  Their collective [[feast day]] is [[January 4]].
 
The Seventy Apostles are those whom the Lord chose (described in [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 10:1-16) in addition to the Twelve and sent forth to assist in the work of preaching.  Over time, the Twelve added others to their number, who were sent out with the original Seventy to preach the gospel.  Although this number eventually exceeded seventy, they were all nevertheless referred to as "of the Seventy" out of reverence to the number which the Lord originally chose.  Their collective [[feast day]] is [[January 4]].
 
[[Image:Apostles Communion.jpg|right|frame|[[Eucharist|Communion]] of the Apostles]]
 
[[Image:Apostles Communion.jpg|right|frame|[[Eucharist|Communion]] of the Apostles]]
 
It is difficult to determine a comprehensive and accurate list of the Seventy, but here are some of their names:   
 
It is difficult to determine a comprehensive and accurate list of the Seventy, but here are some of their names:   
  
[[Apostle Achaicus|Achaicus]], [[Apostle Agabus|Agabus]], [[Apostle Alphaeus|Alphaeus]], [[Apostle Amplias|Amplias]], [[Apostle Ananias|Ananias]] (who baptized [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]), [[Apostle Andronicus|Andronicus]], [[Apostle Apelles|Apelles]], [[Apostle Apollo|Apollo]], [[Apostle Apphia|Apphia]], [[Apostle Aquila|Aquila]], [[Apostle Archippus|Archippus]], [[Apostle Aristarchus|Aristarchus]], [[Apostle Aristobulus|Aristobulus]], [[Apostle Artemas|Artemas]], [[Apostle Asyncritus|Asyncritus]],  [[Apostle Barnabas|Barnabas]] (leader of the Seventy and companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]), [[Apostle Caesar|Caesar]], [[Apostle Carpus|Carpus]], [[Apostle Cephas|Cephas]], [[Apostle Clement|Clement]], [[Apostle Cleopas|Cleopas]] (who accompanied the Lord to Emmaus), [[Apostle Crescens|Crescens]], [[Apostle Crispus|Crispus]], [[Apostle Epaphroditus|Epaphroditus]], [[Apostle Epenetus|Epenetus]], [[Apostle Erastus|Erastus]], [[Apostle Evodus|Evodus]], [[Apostle Fortunatus|Fortunatus]], [[Apostle Gaius|Gaius]], [[Apostle Hermas|Hermas]], [[Apostle Hermes (bishop)|Hermes]] (bishop of Dalmatia), [[Apostle Herodian|Herodian]] (Rodion), [[Apostle James the Just|James]] (the Brother of God, also called "the Less"), [[Apostle Jason|Jason]], [[Apostle Junia|Junia]], [[Apostle Justus|Justus]] (brother of the Lord), [[Apostle Linus|Linus]], [[Apostle Lucius|Lucius]], [[Apostle Luke|Luke the Evangelist]] (companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and author of the [[Gospel of Luke|Gospel]] that bears his name), [[Apostle Mark|Mark the Evangelist]] (companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and author of the [[Gospel of Mark|Gospel]] that bears his name), [[Apostle Narcissus|Narcissus]], [[Apostle Nathaniel|Nathaniel]], [[Apostle Nicanor|Nicanor]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Olympas|Olympas]], [[Apostle Onesimus|Onesimus]], [[Apostle Onesiphorus|Onesiphorus]], [[Apostle Parmenas|Parmenas]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Patrobas|Patrobas]], [[Apostle Philemon|Philemon]], [[Apostle Philip (of the Seventy)|Philip]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Philologos|Philologos]], [[Apostle Phlegon|Phlegon]], [[Apostle Priscilla|Priscilla]], [[Apostle Prochorus|Prochorus]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Pudens|Pudens]], [[Apostle Quadratus|Quadratus]], [[Apostle Quartus|Quartus]], [[Apostle Rufus|Rufus]], [[Apostle Silas|Silas]] (companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]), [[Apostle Silvan|Silvan]], [[Apostle Sosipater|Sosipater]], [[Apostle Sosthenes|Sosthenes]], [[Apostle Stachys|Stachys]], [[Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr|Stephen the Protomartyr]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Symeon|Symeon]], [[Apostle Tertius|Tertius]], [[Apostle Thaddeus|Thaddeus]] (sometimes confused with [[Apostle Jude|Jude]] of the Twelve), [[Apostle Timon|Timon]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Timothy|Timothy]] (companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]), [[Apostle Titus|Titus]], [[Apostle Trophimus|Trophimus]], [[Apostle Tychicus|Tychicus]], [[Apostle Urban|Urban]], [[Apostle Zacchaeus|Zacchaeus]], and [[Apostle Zenas|Zenas]].
+
[[Apostle Achaicus|Achaicus]], [[Apostle Agabus|Agabus]], [[Apostle Alphaeus|Alphaeus]], [[Apostle Amplias|Amplias]], [[Apostle Ananias|Ananias]] (who baptized [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]), [[Apostle Andronicus|Andronicus]], [[Apostle Apelles|Apelles]], [[Apostle Apollo|Apollo]], [[Apostle Apphia|Apphia]], [[Apostle Aquila|Aquila]], [[Apostle Archippus|Archippus]], [[Apostle Aristarchus|Aristarchus]], [[Apostle Aristobulus|Aristobulus]], [[Apostle Artemas|Artemas]], [[Apostle Asyncritus|Asyncritus]],  [[Apostle Barnabas|Barnabas]] (leader of the Seventy and companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]), [[Apostle Caesar|Caesar]], [[Apostle Carpus|Carpus]], [[Apostle Cephas|Cephas]], [[Apostle Clement|Clement]], [[Apostle Cleopas|Cleopas]] (who accompanied the Lord to Emmaus), [[Apostle Crescens|Crescens]], [[Apostle Crispus|Crispus]], [[Apostle Epaphroditus|Epaphroditus]], [[Apostle Epenetus|Epenetus]], [[Apostle Erastus|Erastus]], [[Apostle Evodus|Evodus]], [[Apostle Fortunatus|Fortunatus]], [[Apostle Gaius|Gaius]], [[Apostle Hermas|Hermas]], [[Apostle Hermes (bishop)|Hermes]] (bishop of Dalmatia), [[Apostle Herodian|Herodian]] (Rodion), [[Apostle James the Just|James]] (the Brother of God, also called "the Less"), [[Apostle Jason|Jason]], [[Apostle Junia|Junia]], [[Apostle Justus|Justus]] (brother of the Lord), [[Apostle Linus|Linus]], [[Apostle Lucius|Lucius]], [[Apostle Luke|Luke the Evangelist]] (companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and author of the [[Gospel of Luke|Gospel]] that bears his name), [[Apostle Mark|Mark the Evangelist]] (companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and author of the [[Gospel of Mark|Gospel]] that bears his name), [[Apostle Narcissus|Narcissus]], [[Apostle Nicanor|Nicanor]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Olympas|Olympas]], [[Apostle Onesimus|Onesimus]], [[Apostle Onesiphorus|Onesiphorus]], [[Apostle Parmenas|Parmenas]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Patrobas|Patrobas]], [[Apostle Philemon|Philemon]], [[Apostle Philip (of the Seventy)|Philip]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Philologos|Philologos]], [[Apostle Phlegon|Phlegon]], [[Apostle Prochorus|Prochorus]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Pudens|Pudens]], [[Apostle Quadratus|Quadratus]], [[Apostle Quartus|Quartus]], [[Apostle Rufus|Rufus]], [[Apostle Silas|Silas]] (companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]), [[Apostle Silvan|Silvan]], [[Apostle Sosipater|Sosipater]], [[Apostle Sosthenes|Sosthenes]], [[Apostle Stachys|Stachys]], [[Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr|Stephen the Protomartyr]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Symeon|Symeon]], [[Apostle Tertius|Tertius]], [[Apostle Thaddeus|Thaddeus]] (sometimes confused with [[Apostle Jude|Jude]] of the Twelve), [[Apostle Timon|Timon]] (one of the original seven deacons), [[Apostle Timothy|Timothy]] (companion of [[Apostle Paul|Paul]]), [[Apostle Titus|Titus]], [[Apostle Trophimus|Trophimus]], [[Apostle Tychicus|Tychicus]], [[Apostle Urban|Urban]], [[Apostle Zacchaeus|Zacchaeus]], and [[Apostle Zenas|Zenas]].
 
===Hymns to the seventy===
 
===Hymns to the seventy===
 
Troparion (Tone 3)
 
Troparion (Tone 3)
Line 61: Line 62:
 
The [[Apostle Paul]] ([[June 29]]) is also referred to as an apostle, though he is not one of the Twelve or of the Seventy.  Other missionary saints are also referred to as apostles, though usually not as an initial title, but rather as an epithet, e.g., "Apostle to the North" (though some regard this usage as not traditionally Orthodox).  Further, other saints have the [[saint titles|epithet]] "[[Equal-to-the-Apostles]]" (in Greek, Ισαποστολος), usually because of their significant work in building up the Church. St. Paul shares the collective feast day with the Twelve Great Apostles. He was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero.
 
The [[Apostle Paul]] ([[June 29]]) is also referred to as an apostle, though he is not one of the Twelve or of the Seventy.  Other missionary saints are also referred to as apostles, though usually not as an initial title, but rather as an epithet, e.g., "Apostle to the North" (though some regard this usage as not traditionally Orthodox).  Further, other saints have the [[saint titles|epithet]] "[[Equal-to-the-Apostles]]" (in Greek, Ισαποστολος), usually because of their significant work in building up the Church. St. Paul shares the collective feast day with the Twelve Great Apostles. He was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero.
  
* Apostle to the Abyssinians: Saint [[Frumentius]]
+
* Apostle to the Abyssinians: Saint [[Frumentius of Axum|Frumentius]]
 
* Apostle of the Ardennes: Saint [[Saint Hubertus|Hubert]], 656-727
 
* Apostle of the Ardennes: Saint [[Saint Hubertus|Hubert]], 656-727
 
* Apostle to the Armenians: Saint [[Gregory the Illuminator]], 256-331
 
* Apostle to the Armenians: Saint [[Gregory the Illuminator]], 256-331
Line 91: Line 92:
 
==Exteral links==
 
==Exteral links==
 
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=100017 Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles] - from [[OCA]] website.
 
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsLife.asp?FSID=100017 Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles] - from [[OCA]] website.
*[http://www.chrysostompress.org/collection/0104_Synaxis_70_Apostles/ The Synaxis of the Holy Seventy Apostles]  compiled by St. [[Demetrius of Rostov]]
+
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20050907021458/http://www.chrysostompress.org/collection/0104_Synaxis_70_Apostles/ The Synaxis of the Holy Seventy Apostles]  compiled by St. [[Demetrius of Rostov]]
 
*[http://www.orthodox.net/saints/70apostles.html The Choosing Of The Seventy Holy Apostles] compiled by St. [[Dorotheus of Tyre]]
 
*[http://www.orthodox.net/saints/70apostles.html The Choosing Of The Seventy Holy Apostles] compiled by St. [[Dorotheus of Tyre]]
  
Line 101: Line 102:
 
[[ar:رسل المسيح الإثنا عشر]]
 
[[ar:رسل المسيح الإثنا عشر]]
 
[[bg:ппоѿтол]]
 
[[bg:ппоѿтол]]
 +
[[fr:Apôtres]]
 
[[ro:Apostol]]
 
[[ro:Apostol]]

Revision as of 02:55, May 15, 2011

The Calling of the Twelve

An Apostle is one who is sent out by our Lord Jesus Christ to spread the gospel that he is the Messiah, that he is risen, and that we are being saved as a result.

The word apostle comes from the Greek αποστολος, literally meaning "one who is sent out." Originally a military term referring to a sortie sent out against the enemy, apostle has in the Christian context come to refer to a missionary spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Twelve

Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles

Our Lord originally appointed twelve apostles as his initial Church community, commissioned with the task of sharing the faith. As told in the Gospels, Judas Iscariot was originally one of them, but with his apostasy and death, he was replaced with Matthias. Their collective feast day is June 30. The Apostles' names are listed at Matthew 10:2, Mark 3:14, Luke 6:12, Acts 1:13, 26.

After Judas' replacement, the Twelve consisted of the following:

Hymns to the twelve

Troparion (Tone 3)

O holy Apostles of Christ
Pray to our merciful God,
That he may grant us remission of our sins.

Kontakion (Tone 2)

Today Christ the Rock gladly glorifies the rock of faith,
The chosen disciple, together with Paul and the entire company of the Twelve.
As we celebrate their memory,
We glorify him who has glorified them!

The Seventy

Main article: Seventy Apostles

The Seventy Apostles are those whom the Lord chose (described in Luke 10:1-16) in addition to the Twelve and sent forth to assist in the work of preaching. Over time, the Twelve added others to their number, who were sent out with the original Seventy to preach the gospel. Although this number eventually exceeded seventy, they were all nevertheless referred to as "of the Seventy" out of reverence to the number which the Lord originally chose. Their collective feast day is January 4.

Communion of the Apostles

It is difficult to determine a comprehensive and accurate list of the Seventy, but here are some of their names:

Achaicus, Agabus, Alphaeus, Amplias, Ananias (who baptized Paul), Andronicus, Apelles, Apollo, Apphia, Aquila, Archippus, Aristarchus, Aristobulus, Artemas, Asyncritus, Barnabas (leader of the Seventy and companion of Paul), Caesar, Carpus, Cephas, Clement, Cleopas (who accompanied the Lord to Emmaus), Crescens, Crispus, Epaphroditus, Epenetus, Erastus, Evodus, Fortunatus, Gaius, Hermas, Hermes (bishop of Dalmatia), Herodian (Rodion), James (the Brother of God, also called "the Less"), Jason, Junia, Justus (brother of the Lord), Linus, Lucius, Luke the Evangelist (companion of Paul and author of the Gospel that bears his name), Mark the Evangelist (companion of Paul and author of the Gospel that bears his name), Narcissus, Nicanor (one of the original seven deacons), Olympas, Onesimus, Onesiphorus, Parmenas (one of the original seven deacons), Patrobas, Philemon, Philip (one of the original seven deacons), Philologos, Phlegon, Prochorus (one of the original seven deacons), Pudens, Quadratus, Quartus, Rufus, Silas (companion of Paul), Silvan, Sosipater, Sosthenes, Stachys, Stephen the Protomartyr (one of the original seven deacons), Symeon, Tertius, Thaddeus (sometimes confused with Jude of the Twelve), Timon (one of the original seven deacons), Timothy (companion of Paul), Titus, Trophimus, Tychicus, Urban, Zacchaeus, and Zenas.

Hymns to the seventy

Troparion (Tone 3)

Holy apostles of the Seventy,
entreat the merciful God
to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Kontakion (Tone 2)

O faithful, let us praise with hymns
the choir of the seventy disciples of Christ.
They have taught us all to worship the undivided Trinity,
for they are divine lamps of the Faith.

Other Apostles

The Apostle Paul (June 29) is also referred to as an apostle, though he is not one of the Twelve or of the Seventy. Other missionary saints are also referred to as apostles, though usually not as an initial title, but rather as an epithet, e.g., "Apostle to the North" (though some regard this usage as not traditionally Orthodox). Further, other saints have the epithet "Equal-to-the-Apostles" (in Greek, Ισαποστολος), usually because of their significant work in building up the Church. St. Paul shares the collective feast day with the Twelve Great Apostles. He was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero.

  • Apostle to the Abyssinians: Saint Frumentius
  • Apostle of the Ardennes: Saint Hubert, 656-727
  • Apostle to the Armenians: Saint Gregory the Illuminator, 256-331
  • Apostle of Carpatho-Russia: Saint Alexis Kabaliuk, 1877-1947
  • Apostle to Karantania: Bishop Virgilius of Salzburg, 745-784
  • Apostle to the English: Saint Augustine, died 604
  • Apostle to the Franks: Saint Denis, 3rd century
  • Apostle to the Franks: Saint Remigius, ca. 437-533
  • Apostle to the Frisians: Saint Willibrord, 657-738
  • Apostle to the Gauls: Saint Irenaeus, 130-200
  • Apostle to the Gauls: Saint Martin of Tours, 338-401
  • Apostle to the Gentiles: Saint Paul
  • Apostle to the Germans: Saint Boniface, 680-755
  • Apostle to the Goths: Bishop Ulfilas
  • Apostle to Hungary: Saint Anastasius, 954-1044
  • Apostle to India: Saint Thomas
  • Apostle to Ireland: Saint Patrick, 373-463
  • Apostle to Noricum: Saint Severinus
  • Apostle to the North: Saint Ansgar, 801-864
  • Apostle to the Parthians: Saint Thomas
  • Apostle to the Picts: Saint Ninian, 5th century
  • Apostle to the Scots: Saint Columba, 521-597
  • Apostle to the Slavs: Saint Cyril, ca. 820-869
  • Apostle to the Slavs: Saint Methodius
  • Apostle to Spain: Saint James the Great, d. 44

Source

Exteral links