Bishop
Saints Herodion, Agabus, Asyncritus, Rufus, Phlegon, and Hermas were chosen by Christ from among the 70 apostles and sent to preach. Apostle Herodion, a relative of Apostle Paul, became the bishop of the city of Patara and converted many pagans and Jews to Christianity. He suffered persecution and was beaten, but the Lord restored him unharmed. Later, he accompanied Apostle Peter and was beheaded with him. Apostle Agabus had the gift of prophecy, foretelling a famine and the sufferings of Apostle Paul. Apostle Rufus was the bishop in Thebes, Asyncritus in Hyrcania, Phlegon in Marathon, and Hermas in Dalmatia. All the apostles endured severe sufferings and were honored with a martyr's death.
The holy apostle Hermas is mentioned in the Epistle to the Romans and, according to tradition, was the teacher of Dalmatia, where he enlightened the pagans. He died peacefully after many labors. A small work titled “Reproof of Pagan Philosophers” is associated with the name of Hermas, but there is no reliable information about its author. There is also confusion with other saints named Hermas, who should not be mixed up with Apostle Hermas.
