Asyncritus of Hyrcania

The Holy Apostle Asyncritus of the Seventy was bishop of Hyrcania in Asia. His name, in Greek, means "incomparable." He is mentioned by Saint Paul in the Epistle to the Romans (16:14). He is celebrated on 8 April and in the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles, on 4 January.

Saint Paul writes: "Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren which are with them." Saint Ambrose of Milan, commenting on the Epistle, asks why Paul greets them together and answers that the apostle knew they were of one mind. The Greek Synaxarion of Nicodemus, on 8 April, says that Phlegon and Asyncritus, like Agabus and Rufus before them, preached the Gospel in various countries of the world, brought many unbelievers to the true faith and, subjected to various torments by the Jews, departed in the same day, receiving from the Lord the kingdom of heaven.

The service proclaims him as an enlightener and bishop of Hyrcania, and church writers, beginning with Dorotheus of Tyre, say that he was bishop in Hyrcania, in Asia Minor. He is commemorated together with the apostles Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Phlegon and Hermes, and on the day of the Synaxis of the Apostles of the Seventy.

Troparion, Tone 1: Let us praise in hymns the six-⁠fold choir of Apostles: Herodion and Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and holy Hermes. They ever entreat the Trinity for our souls.

Kontakion, Tone 2: You became the disciples of Christ and all-⁠holy Apostles, O glorious Herodion, Agabus and Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon and Hermes. Ever entreat the Lord to grant forgiveness of transgressions to us who sing your praises.