After the Ascension of the Lord and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the number of believers in Jerusalem significantly increased. By the advice of the Apostles, seven men, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, were chosen for the diaconal ministry: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas the Antiochian. The memory of the holy first martyr Stephen is celebrated on December 27, that of Saint Philip on October 11, and the memory of the other deacons, except for Nicholas, is celebrated on the same day, despite the different times and places of their deaths.
Saint Prochorus accompanied Saint Apostle Peter and was appointed bishop of the Bithynian city of Nicomedia. After the Dormition of the Mother of God, he became a companion of Saint Apostle John the Theologian, with whom he preached and was imprisoned on the island of Patmos. Prochorus died a martyr's death in Antioch.
Saint Nicanor suffered on the day when Saint Stephen was killed, during the persecutions against the Jerusalem church.
Saint Timon was appointed bishop of the city of Bostoria. For preaching the name of Christ, he suffered greatly and was thrown into a furnace, but emerged unharmed. According to tradition, he was subjected to a death by crucifixion.
Saint Parmenas performed the ministry entrusted to him by the Apostles and died in their sight. Some assert that he also suffered and was adorned with a martyr's crown.
