TRANSCRIPT

The Holy Apostles Stachys, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus, Apelles, and Aristobulus, of the Seventy

In the first century after Christ's Nativity, after His death on the Cross and Resurrection, the number of apostles who were willing to bring  the faith of Christ to the people grew steadily.

The Savior's closest disciples, the 12 apostles, chose the most faithful people and sent them out to preach the gospel to different cities and countries. The Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called also chose many preachers of Christ who were among the 70 apostles, for service to the Lord and to the people. One of them was named Stachys. 

Andrew the First-Called ordained him as bishop of Byzantium. For 16 years, he zealously preached about Christ the Savior, bringing the Gentiles to the light of the true faith. 

St. Amplias became bishop of the city of Odyssopolis. St. Urban, also with the blessing of St. Andrew the Apostle, went to Macedonia. Because these holy apostles served Christ, the Jews and Greek pagans martyred them.

The apostle Paul was also accompanied on his journeys by his faithful disciples. He trusted them to carry the word of God, and they served in faith and truth, spreading Christianity throughout the earth.

The apostle Apelles, who was numbered among the seventy, was made bishop of Smyrna, establishing the Church of Christ there.

The apostle Narcissus was a priest in Athens.

The apostle Aristobulus was sent by St. Paul to distant Britain, where he was able to convert many barbarians to Christ in spite of the constant persecution from pagans there.

They all laid down their lives for the service of the true God and for the reign of Christianity on earth.

On October 31 (new calendar) / November 13 (old calendar), we honor the glorious preachers of Christ, the apostles of the 70, Stachys, Amplias, Urban, Narcissus, Apelles, and Aristobulus.