Bishop
The holy apostles of the 70 Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas were the first deacons of the Church of Christ. The book of Acts of the Apostles recounts that in Jerusalem, the twelve apostles chose seven men, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, and appointed them to the diaconate. The Holy Church commemorates their common memory on July 28.
Saint Prochorus initially accompanied the chief apostle Peter and was appointed bishop in the city of Nicomedia. After the Dormition of the Mother of God, he was a companion of Saint John the Theologian and was exiled with him to the island of Patmos, where he recorded the Revelation of God. Upon returning to Nicomedia, Saint Prochorus converted pagans to Christ in the city of Antioch and there met a martyr's end.
Saint Nicanor suffered on the day when the holy first martyr archdeacon Stephen was stoned, along with many other Christians.
Saint Timon was appointed by the apostles as bishop of the city of Bostra in Arabia and suffered from Jews and pagans for preaching the Gospel. He was thrown into a furnace, but by the power of God, he emerged unharmed. Tradition of the Roman Church states that Saint Timon died crucified.
Saint Parmenas diligently preached Christ in Macedonia. He died from an illness that visited him. There is also an opinion that Saint Parmenas suffered under Trajan in the last year of his reign, meeting a martyr's end.
