Righteous
Righteous Phoebe, Deaconess of Cenchreae
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Righteous Phoebe — deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, mentioned by St. Paul in Romans as a benefactor, who tradition holds carried the Epistle itself to Rome; one of the earliest historically attested deaconesses of the ancient Church.
IMPORTANT DATE CORRECTION: the previous date "March 6" was not confirmed by any source — the correct date, agreed by several independent sources, is September 3/16.
Phoebe was a Christian woman of the apostolic age, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, the eastern harbor of Corinth. She is named by Paul at the opening of Romans 16: "I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also" (Romans 16:1–2).
Most commentators believe Phoebe herself carried this epistle to Rome, traveling there on church business. Paul calls her a prostatis (προστάτις) — a patroness/benefactor — indicating a woman of standing and means devoted to the Church's service. St. John Chrysostom, in his homilies on Romans, marvels at the dignity of her ministry: "Is it not evident that she was blessed, having earned such testimony from Paul, and able to assist Paul, teacher of the universe?"
Phoebe is honored as one of the earliest historically attested deaconesses — women who carried out a distinct liturgical and charitable ministry in the ancient Church.