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Apostle

Alphaeus of Capernaum

An apostle of Capernaum, commemorated in the calendar of the Orthodox Church.

Feast
January 4old style January 17
Era
unknown
Place
Seventy

Life

Holy Apostle Alphaeus of Capernaum was one of the seventy disciples of Christ, the father of the apostles James the son of Alphaeus and Matthew. He came from Capernaum, the city in Galilee. No sure testimony survives about the time and place of his repose. He is commemorated on 17 January and 8 June.

According to tradition, the children of Holy Apostle Alphaeus were also the Holy Martyrs Abercius and Helen. For the confession of faith in Jesus Christ, Saint Abercius was bound naked in the middle of an apiary and died a martyr from the bites of the bees. His sister, Saint Helen, was stoned to death.

Commemorated the same day January 4