Apostle of the 70, Bishop Epenetus, Apostle of the 70, Bishop of Carthage

The holy Apostle of the Seventy Epenetus is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the closing greetings of the Epistle to the Romans: "Greet my beloved Epenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ" (Romans 16:5). This apostolic testimony indicates that Epenetus was one of the first inhabitants of the Greek region of Achaia converted to Christ by the Apostle Paul, and enjoyed his special affection. According to church tradition, St. Epenetus was later made bishop of the city of Carthage in North Africa, where he labored zealously to establish the Christian faith. His memory is kept in the Synaxis of the 70 Apostles on January 4, and separately on July 30/August 12.