Orthodox Saint Rufus History and Name Day Information

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When it comes to the life of Orthodox Christians, the saints and apostles are important, especially since many Christians are named after these saints. Saint Rufus, also known as Apostle Rufus was one of the Seventy Apostles who was commissioned by Christ himself to preach the news of Him and establish the early church. His feast days are on April 8th and November 10th of each year and he is also celebrated on January 4th with the rest of the Seventy. Here’s more information about Saint Rufus:

About Saint Rufus

Not much is known about the life of Saint Rufus. Since he is listed as one of the Seventy Apostles, we do know that he was alive during Jesus’s time and that he played a part in setting up the early church. Over time, be become a bishop in Thebes. He was mentioned in the Bible once in the Book of Romans. Here is what the Bible has to say about him:

¹¹ Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.

¹² Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

¹³ Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

¹⁴ Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.

¹⁵ Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.

– Romans 16:11-115

This book was written by the Apostle Paul, which tells us that Saint Rufus and Saint Paul were well acquainted and were friendly. He is also mentioned with several other of the Seventy Apostles, and Rufus’s feast day is held at the same time as some of these other saints.

Hymns of Saint Rufus

There are some hymns that can be found in the Orthodox Christian church service that celebrate Saint Sophia. Here are the details:

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.

Kontakion (Tone 4)

Like stars, O holy Apostles,

You illumine the way of the faithful with the light of the Holy Spirit.

You dispel the darkness of error as you gaze on God the Word!

Saint Rufus’s name days are on April 8th and January 4th of each year with the rest of the Seventy Apostles. Check the Name Day page for more information about other Orthodox Christian name days.

Sources:

OrthodoxWiki – Apostle Rufus

Source for Photo Credit for Image Above

Categorized in: Ancient Greek History, Greek Orthodox Religious Information

This post was written by Greek Boston