Saint Apostle Aquila
of the Seventy.
Also known as Saint Aquila, Aquila of Pontus, Aquila the Apostle, Holy Apostle Aquila
A 1st-century Jewish apostle from Pontus, disciple of Saint Paul, and companion of his wife Priscilla. Aquila hosted Paul in Corinth and Ephesus as a fellow tentmaker, was ordained bishop by Paul in Asia, and died a martyr at the hands of pagans.
Tone 3
As a disciple and companion of Paul / you received in your soul the grace of preaching. / You shone in the night of error and struggled for the Lord's glory. / Sacred minister of the Savior, Aquila, we all acclaim you.
A Faithful
Companion of the Apostle Paul
Aquila was a Jewish Christian of the 1st century, originally from Pontus, who with his wife Priscilla became one of the Apostle Paul's most devoted companions. Expelled from Rome under Emperor Claudius, they settled in Corinth where they met Paul and welcomed him into their home as a fellow tentmaker. Their partnership in faith and ministry spanned the cities of Corinth and Ephesus, and Paul entrusted Aquila with episcopal office in Asia, where he labored tirelessly to establish churches and convert pagans to Christ until his martyrdom.
Early years
Saint Aquila was a native of Pontus and a Jew, living in the city of Rome with his wife Priscilla. As a tentmaker by trade, Aquila and his wife worked in the city until the expulsion under Claudius forced them to relocate.
During the reign of the emperor Claudius (41-54) all the Jews were banished from Rome, so Saint Aquila and his wife were compelled to leave. They settled in Corinth. This displacement, while difficult, became the occasion for their meeting with the Apostle Paul and their transformation into active laborers in the Gospel.
In the Church
A short while later, the holy Apostle Paul arrived there from Athens preaching the Gospel. Having made the acquaintance of Aquila, he began to live at his house and labored together with him, making tents. Having received Baptism from the Apostle Paul, Aquila and Priscilla became his devoted and zealous disciples.
They accompanied the apostle to Ephesus. The Apostle Paul instructed them to continue the preaching of the Gospel at Ephesus, and he himself went to Jerusalem, in order to be present for the feast of Pentecost. Saint Aquila did not long dwell in Rome: the Apostle Paul made him a bishop in Asia. Saint Aquila zealously labored at preaching the Gospel in Asia, Achaia and Heraklia. He converted pagans to Christ, he confirmed newly-converted Christians in the faith, he established presbyters and destroyed idols.
Later years
After the death of the emperor Claudius, Jews were permitted to return to Italy, and Aquila and Priscilla then returned to Rome. The Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans recalls his faithful disciples, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who put forth their heads for my soul, whom I do not alone thank, but also all the Church of the Gentiles and the church of their household" (Rom. 16: 3-4).
Saint Aquila ended his life a martyr: pagans murdered him. According to the Tradition of the Church, Saint Priscilla was killed together with him.
Legacy and veneration
Saint Aquila is venerated throughout the Eastern Orthodox Church as one of the Seventy Apostles and a faithful servant of Christ who labored side by side with the Apostle Paul. The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Aquila is numbered among the Seventy Apostles. His life exemplifies the partnership between husband and wife in Christian service and missionary work.
As Bishop, St. Aquila built many churches, destroyed many idols, ordained priests and preached the Gospel vigorously. He was martyred for the sake of Christ. Through his martyrdom, Aquila became a witness to the transformative power of faith and the willingness to suffer for Christ in the early Christian era.
Additional writings
Early Life and Meeting with Saint Paul
Saint Aquila was a native of Pontus and a Jew, living in the city of Rome with his wife Priscilla. During the reign of the emperor Claudius (41-54) all the Jews were banished from Rome, so Saint Aquila and his wife were compelled to leave. They settled in Corinth. A short while later, the holy Apostle Paul arrived there from Athens preaching the Gospel. Having made the acquaintance of Aquila, he began to live at his house and labored together with him, making tents.
Discipleship and Apostolic Ministry
Having received Baptism from the Apostle Paul, Aquila and Priscilla became his devoted and zealous disciples. They accompanied the apostle to Ephesus. The Apostle Paul instructed them to continue the preaching of the Gospel at Ephesus, and he himself went to Jerusalem, in order to be present for the feast of Pentecost. At Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla heard the bold preaching of a newcomer from Alexandria, the Jew Apollos. He had been instructed in the fundamentals of the Faith, but knew only the baptism of John the Forerunner. They called him over and explained more precisely about the way of the Lord.
Return to Rome and Episcopate
After the death of the emperor Claudius, Jews were permitted to return to Italy, and Aquila and Priscilla then returned to Rome. The Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans recalls his faithful disciples, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who put forth their heads for my soul, whom I do not alone thank, but also all the Church of the Gentiles and the church of their household" (Rom. 16: 3-4). Saint Aquila did not long dwell in Rome: the Apostle Paul made him a bishop in Asia. Saint Aquila zealously labored at preaching the Gospel in Asia, Achaia and Heraklia. He converted pagans to Christ, he confirmed newly-converted Christians in the faith, he established presbyters and destroyed idols.
Martyrdom and Legacy
Saint Priscilla constantly assisted him in the apostolic work. Saint Aquila ended his life a martyr: pagans murdered him.
Tone 4
The Church ever sees you as a shining star, O apostle Aquila, Your miracles have manifested great enlightenment. Therefore we cry out to Christ: "Save those who with faith honor Your apostle, O Most Merciful One."
O Holy Apostle Aquila, intercede to our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Carry the tradition with you.
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References and further reading
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/07/14/101950-apostle-aquila-of-the-seventy
- orthodoxwiki.orghttps://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostle_Aquila
- ochrid.orghttps://www.ochrid.org/july/14th
- goarch.orghttps://www.goarch.org/chapel/saints?contentid=125
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priscilla_and_Aquila
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/troparia/2023/07/14/101950-apostle-aquila-of-the-seventy
- orthochristian.comhttps://orthochristian.com/105349.html
- orthodoxonline.orghttps://www.orthodoxonline.org/theology/en/saints-and-fathers/alef/st-aquilla-and-priscilla-the-apostles/
- orthodoxmonasteryicons.comhttps://orthodoxmonasteryicons.com/products/st-aquillas-icon
- orthodoxwiki.orghttps://orthodoxwiki.org/Apostles
- stgeorge.orghttps://stgeorge.org/2022/07/saint-aquila-apostle-of-the-seventy/
- ancientfaith.comhttps://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/saintoftheday/apostle-aquila-of-the-seventy-and-st-priscilla-1st-c/
- pontosworld.comhttps://www.pontosworld.com/index.php/history/christianity/112-saints-aquila-and-priscilla
- vaticannews.vahttps://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/07/08/sts--aquila-and-priscilla--disciples-of-st--paul-.html
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2024/07/14/101950-apostle-aquila-of-the-seventy
- basilica.rohttps://basilica.ro/en/orthodox-calendar-july-14/
- facebook.comhttps://www.facebook.com/DioceseofLafayette/posts/saint-of-the-day-aquila-a-jew-from-pontus-and-his-wife-priscilla-converted-to-ch/909441394550366/
- legacyicons.comhttps://legacyicons.com/apostles-aquila-and-priscilla-whirledge-icon-s660/
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_14_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_8_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)