Carpus of Beroea

The Holy Apostle Carpus of the Seventy was a disciple and companion of the Holy Apostle Paul and bishop of Beroea (Veria), in Macedonia (or in Thrace, according to some sources). He is mentioned in the Second Epistle to Timothy (4:13). He is celebrated on 26 May, with Saint Alphaeus, and on 4 January, in the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles.

In the letters of Paul

In the Second Epistle to Timothy, Paul writes: "The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments." This refers to the apostle's stay at Troas, around the year 64, when he was seized on the denunciation of the coppersmith Alexander. It seems that at the sudden arrest Paul left his cloak and books with Carpus, or perhaps the officers who seized him did not then allow him to take them.

Labours and end

The Synaxarion says that Saint Carpus, disciple and companion of the Holy Apostle Paul, preached the Gospel in Crete and Thrace and was bishop in Beroea, in Thrace. According to one tradition, he suffered there at the hands of unbelievers in the time of Nero; according to other accounts, he fell asleep in peace at Beroea. Saint Dionysius the Areopagite testifies of him that he was a man of unusually pure mind, gentle and without malice, that the Lord Jesus Himself appeared to him in a vision with His angels, and that he never began the Holy Liturgy without first having a heavenly vision. According to the Serbian sources, in Crete he was received into his house by Saint Dionysius the Areopagite. According to a Bulgarian source, at Beroea he came into conflict with the local Jewish community, which led to his murder. The Serbian Church celebrates him on 26 May by the church calendar.

Troparion, Tone 3: O holy Apostle Carpus, entreat the merciful God to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Kontakion, Tone 4: The Church possesses you as a shining star, O holy Apostle Carpus, and is illumined by the multitude of your miracles; save those who honor in faith your holy memory.