Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Bishop of Colophon

Holy Apostle Tychicus of the Seventy, Bishop of Colophon, was a native of Asia Minor and one of the closest co-workers and companions of the Holy Apostle Paul. He is mentioned repeatedly in Acts and in Paul's epistles (to the Ephesians, Colossians, Titus, and 2 Timothy) as a faithful helper and "beloved brother." During Paul's first Roman imprisonment, Tychicus personally delivered the apostle's epistles to the churches of Ephesus and Colossae, and Paul later sent him on further missions to Crete and Ephesus. After completing his apostolic labors alongside Paul, Tychicus succeeded fellow Apostle of the Seventy Sosthenes as bishop of the see of Colophon in Asia Minor. There he preached the Gospel, converted many pagans to Christ, and boldly denounced idolatry, enduring persecution and beatings from unbelievers. Unlike many of the Seventy, tradition holds that Tychicus died peacefully in old age, having completed his episcopal ministry.