Holy Apostles Mark, Aristarchus, and Zenas of the Seventy — September 27 / October 10 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 27 according to the Julian Calendar (October 10 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the holy Apostles Mark, Aristarchus, and Zenas of the Seventy.

The holy apostle and evangelist Mark was one of the seventy nearest disciples of the Lord. He is also called John. The evangelist Luke mentions Mark in the Acts of the Apostles (12:25; 15:37–39), and the Apostle Paul mentions him in his epistles to the Colossians (4:10) and to Philemon (1:23). He preached the word of God together with the holy apostles Paul and Barnabas and was appointed bishop of the city of Byblos. The blessed one gained such boldness before the Lord that even his shadow healed the sick (for more about him, see the reading for April 25).

The holy apostle Aristarchus is mentioned by Paul, the chief of the apostles, in his epistles to the Colossians (4:10) and to Philemon (1:23). He accompanied Paul during his preaching labors and was afterwards appointed bishop of the Syrian city of Apamea. The holy Church also commemorates Aristarchus on April 15.

The holy apostle of the Seventy, Zenas, a disciple and fellow laborer of Paul, was an expert in the Law before he followed Christ. Distinguished by his learning, he was called “the lawyer.” The blessed one is mentioned in Paul’s epistle to Titus: “Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them” (3:13). According to tradition, Zenas was later ordained bishop of the Palestinian city of Diospolis, also known as Lydda.