The Holy Disciple from the 70 Andronicus
Commemorated on May 17
The Holy Disciple
from the 70 Andronicus and his helper in apostolic works, Saint Junia
(June), were relatives of the holy Apostle Paul. They laboured much,
preaching the Gospel to pagans, about which the Apostle Paul makes mention in
his Epistle to the Romans: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsfolk and
prisoners with me, acknowledged amongst the Apostles and having still before me
believed in Christ" (Rom. 16: 7). Saint Andronicus was ordained
bishop of Pannonia, but the preaching took Saint Junia and him also to other
lands, far from the boundaries of his diocese. By the efforts of Saints
Andronicus and Junia the Church of Christ was strengthened, pagans were
converted to the knowledge of God, many pagan temples ceased functioning, and
in their place were erected Christian churches. From the service in honour of
these saints it is known, that they suffered martyrdom for the Name of Christ.
In the V Century,
during the reign of the emperors Arcadius and Honorius, their holy relics were
uncovered on the outskirts of Constantinople together with the relics of other
martyrs "at the Eugenius gate" (Comm. 22 February).
It was revealed to
the pious cleric Nicholas Kalligraphos that among these 17 martyrs were also
the relics of the holy Disciple Andronicus. Afterwards on this spot was built a
magnificent church.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
