Apostle of the Seventy
Apostle of the 70 Phlegon, Bishop of Marathon
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Phlegon, Apostle of the 70, Bishop of Marathon — mentioned by St. Paul in Romans 16:14, traditionally made bishop of the city of Marathon in Thrace, where he suffered a martyr's death.
IMPORTANT DATE CORRECTION: the previous date "November 5" is not supported by any source for this specific saint — that date actually belongs to a different group of Apostles of the 70 (Patrobas, Hermas, Linus, Gaius, Philologus). The correct date is April 8/21, together with the Apostles of the 70 Herodion, Agabus, Asyncritus, and Rufus, named in the same chapter of Romans.
Phlegon was one of the Seventy Apostles sent to preach after the Twelve. He is named by Paul in the closing greetings of Romans: "Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them" (Romans 16:14). Tradition holds he was converted by Paul himself, accompanied him in his labors, and was later made bishop of Marathon in Thrace, tirelessly preaching to the pagans there.
His preaching met fierce resistance from both pagans and Jews; tradition holds he endured grievous sufferings and received a martyr's death. The Church commemorates him on April 8/21, together with the Seventy Herodion, Agabus, Asyncritus, and Rufus, named in the same chapter, and again January 4/17, the general Synaxis of the Holy Seventy Apostles.