Bishop
Saint Carpus, one of the Seventy Apostles, was a disciple and servant of Saint Paul. He spread the Apostle’s teachings everywhere and delivered his letters, enduring many hardships for this service. He was appointed bishop of Varna in Thrace, where he converted many pagans to Christianity. He also accused the Jews, emphasizing that Christ is the only true God, who was crucified by them.
While in Crete, the saint met Saint Dionysius the Areopagite and beheld a vision of the Lord as he prayed before the execution of two sinners. The Lord said to him: “Do not hesitate to make me suffer Me again, for I am ready to suffer once more and be crucified for the salvation of humankind.”
Saint Carpus always celebrated the holy mysteries of the Church only after he had been made worthy to receive the Divine Grace. He was brutally murdered by the Jews, surrendering his virtuous soul into the hands of the Lord. His holy relics were placed in Varna, where they worked miracles and brought healing to the sick.
