| Saint Rufus of Thebes | |
| Titles: | Apostle of the Seventy Bishop of Thebes and Hieromartyr |
| Death Date: | 50–100 |
| Feast Day: | 8 April 4 January |
| Honored In: | Eastern Orthodox Church |
Rufus of Thebes (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Ῥοῦφος ό Θηβαίος) is numbered among the Seventy Disciples in Eastern Orthodox tradition. He was bishop of Thebes in Greece, and according to some traditions is referenced in Romans 16:13. However, according to Easton's Bible Dictionary the Rufus in Romans 16 could well have been the Rufus mentioned in Mark.[1] His feast day is 8 April, and he is also commemorated on 4 January with the other Seventy Apostles.[2]
Troparion (Tone 1) http://www.oca.org/FStropars.asp?SID=13&ID=101024
Let us praise in hymns the six–fold choir of Apostles:
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!