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Holy Apostles Silas, Silvanus, Crescens, Epaenetus and Andronicus 8/12/2013
All were numbered among the Seventy Apostles. St. Silas was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas to settle the dispute between the faithful there regarding circumcision: namely, that it was not necessary to circumcise pagans when they convert to Christianity. "Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole Church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren" (Acts of the Apostles 15:22). After that, Silas traveled with Paul throughout Asia and Macedonia and was appointed as the bishop in Corinth, where he peacefully died. St. Silvanus assisted both of the Chief Apostles (1 Peter 5:12; 2 Corinthians 1:19). As the bishop of Thessalonica, Silvanus labored much and suffered much until he finally exchanged this earthly life for the heavenly life. St. Crescens was a companion of the Apostle Paul and after that the bishop in Galatia and a missionary in Gaul, where he died as a martyr for Christ during the reign of Trajan (2 Timothy 4:10). St. Epaenetus is mentioned by the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:5). He was the bishop in Carthage. St. Andronicus (Romans 16:7), the bishop of Pannonia, is commemorated separately on May 17.
