Saint Apostle Fortunatus
of the Seventy.

Saint Fortunatus emerges from the historical record as a member of the early Christian community in Corinth. He is mentioned by Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 16:17, where the Apostle rejoices at his coming alongside Stephanas and Achaicus. The name Fortunatus is Latin, suggesting he may have been born into the Hellenistic world of the Mediterranean, though early Christian tradition identifies him with those commissioned by Christ himself to proclaim the Gospel.

Saints Fortunatus, Akhaikos and Stephanas of the 70 Apostles were coworkers of the Apostle Paul, who, with all their heart and soul, helped to spread the Gospel among the nations. Fortunatus is perhaps the Latin name of Tykhikos, mentioned in the Acts of the Holy Apostles, which state that he came from Asia and accompanied Paul, along with others (Acts 20:5). Together with his companions, he strengthened the infant Church through apostolic preaching and pastoral care.

As a member of the Seventy, Saint Fortunatus participated in the missionary work established by Christ himself. The Seventy were sent two by two by the Lord Jesus Christ to go before Him into the cities He would visit (Luke 10:1). His apostolic ministry extended beyond the immediate circle of Corinth, connecting the various early Christian communities in their common faith and ecclesial fellowship.

Fortunatus survived Paul, as he was subsequently the messenger of the church at Corinth to that at Rome, and bore back to the Corinthians the Epistle which Clement of Rome sent to them. This service demonstrates the high regard in which he was held by the Church, entrusted with bearing an important epistle of apostolic instruction between two major centers of Christian life. His role as a messenger reflects the communion and mutual care that characterized the early apostolic communities.

After laboring greatly in preaching the word of God, he reposed in the Lord. Like his fellow apostles, Saint Fortunatus bore faithful witness to the Gospel throughout his life, enduring whatever trials and hardships came to those who proclaimed Christ in the pagan world.

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle Fortunatus of the Seventy is commemorated by the Church on June 15 with Achaicus and Stephen, and on January 4 with the Seventy. His commemoration alongside Saint Achaicus and Saint Stephen connects the individual apostles with the greater Synaxis of the Seventy, emphasizing the collegial nature of apostolic ministry.

The Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles is commemorated on January 4 and was established by the Orthodox Church to indicate the equal honor of each of the Seventy. The Church in particular venerates and praises the Seventy Apostles because they taught us to honor the Trinity One in Essence and Undivided. Saint Fortunatus remains a venerated intercessor, and the faithful invoke his prayers for steadfastness in the Orthodox faith and for the grace to serve Christ with undivided devotion.