Epenet

Epenet ( Greek: Ἐπαινετός - laudable ) is an apostle of seventy . Mentioned in the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans: Salute my beloved Epenet, who is the beginning of Achaia for Christ ( Rom. 16: 5 ). St. John Chrysostom comments on these words of the apostle:

Epenet
Greek Ἐπαινετός
The Apostle Epenet (fragment of the icon "Apostolic Act", 1698)
Birth
Death
Is revered	in the catholic and orthodox churches
In the face	apostle of seventy
Day of Remembrance	July 30 ( August 12 ) and January 4 (17)

“From the name of Epenet,“ beloved, ”it can be seen that the apostle gives everyone his special praise; for to be the beloved of Paul, who knew how to love not for nothing, but with analysis, such praise is not unimportant, on the contrary it is very great and shows many virtues in Epenet. Then comes another praise: “Already there is the beginning of Achaia.” This apostle shows that Epenet either first came to Christ and believed, which also constitutes considerable praise, or predominantly before others showed great piety. Therefore, having said: “There is also a beginner in Achaia,” the apostle did not stop, so that you would not understand the worldly differences here, add: “in Christ”. If the superior in civil matters is considered great and famous, the more so as the superior in spiritual matters. And since Epenet was probably of a low kind, the apostle expresses his true nobility and advantage, and thereby decorating him, saying that he was not for Corinth alone, but for the whole nation he was a “firstfruit”, that is, it was made like a door and an entrance for others. And such a considerable reward is given. Such a person will receive a great retribution for the virtues of others, as contributing a lot to them in the beginning ” ^[1] .

According to the words of the Apostle Paul, Achaea ( Greece ) is considered the birthplace of Epenet. He was probably converted by Paul during his second apostolic journey and stay in Ephesus ( Acts 18 ). According to the Chetie-Minea of Demetrius of Rostov , Epenetus was a bishop in the city of Corinth, and the circumstances of his death are not mentioned. In Greek Meneas , his death is briefly reported - he simply “departed to the Lord,” however, from the text of the service to the apostle, we can conclude about his martyrdom : “He is miraculous, preaching glorious, glorified as having raised a passion, endured a martyrdom, according to Christ, for Whose good has been striving . ”

According to the pseudo-Dorotheus and the pseudo-Hippolytus, Epenet was the first bishop of Carthage or Cartagena ^[2] .

The memory takes place on July 30 ( August 12 ) and January 4 (17) on the day of the Council of the Apostles of seventy.