Phlegon of Marathon

Saint Phlegon the Apostle is one of the Seventy Apostles and, according to tradition, bishop of Marathon. He is mentioned in Saint Paul's Epistle to the Romans, chapter 16, verse 14. The Church honours him on 8 April by the old calendar (21 April by the new), and on 17 January (4 January by the old calendar), the day of the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles. His name means "flaming" in Greek.

Saint Paul writes in the epistle: "Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren which are with them." That Paul greets him by name shows that Phlegon held an honoured place in the Church of Rome.

According to the tradition of the Church, he was converted to Christianity by Saint Paul and appointed bishop at Marathon. The sources do not agree on the place: some say Marathon in Thrace, others Marathon in Phrygia. Here, also according to tradition, he received a martyr's death. His service says that the people of Marathon have in him a great protector, teacher, light and guide, and honour him without ceasing.

There is also an opinion that Phlegon was a freedman of the emperor Nero.

The Roman Catholic Church commemorates him on 8 April. In the hymns of the Synaxis of the Seventy, he is named together with Herodion, Agabus, Rufus, Asyncritus and Hermes, as one of those who ever entreat the Holy Trinity for our souls.