Tertius of Iconium

Holy Apostle Tertius of Iconium, one of the seventy apostles, lived in the first century and is also called Terentius. He was a Christian of Corinth, a disciple and close helper of the Apostle Paul. He wrote down with his own hand the Epistle to the Romans, as he himself says at its close: "I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord" (Romans 16:22). Tradition says that Paul's handwriting was hard to read and that he was reluctant to copy out his own letters.

Tertius laboured in the field of the Gospel under the guidance of the Apostle of the Gentiles and also carried out personal errands for him. Later he became the second bishop of Iconium, after the holy Apostle Sosipater. There he received the crown of martyrdom in the first century, being, according to tradition, pierced with a sharpened stake.

He is commemorated on 17 January in the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles, and also on 4 July, 12 November and 23 November, in the new style.