Saint Apostle Philologos
of the Seventy.
Also known as Philologus, Philologos of Sinope, Philologus of Sinope, Apostle Philologus of the Seventy, Philologos the Apostle
Apostle Philologos of the Seventy, greeted by Saint Paul in Romans 16:15, was consecrated bishop of Sinope on the Black Sea by the Apostle Andrew. He is commemorated November 5.
- Born
- Sinope, Paphlagonia on the Black Sea coast (modern Sinop, Turkey) — episcopal see; birthplace not recorded
- Feast day
- November 5 (New) · November 18 (Old)
Get a reminder on the feast in Orthodox Daily Companion →
Troparion of St. Apostle Philologos of the Seventy
Tone 3
Holy apostle Philologus of the Seventy;
Entreat the merciful;
To grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.
The life of St. Apostle Philologos of the Seventy A Companion
of the Apostles at Sinope
Apostle Philologos is one of the Seventy whom Christ sent out, and Saint Paul greets him by name in Romans. Tradition holds that Saint Andrew the First-Called consecrated him bishop of Sinope on the Black Sea. The Church commemorates him on November 5 and within the Synaxis of the Seventy on January 4.
Early years
The sources consulted do not record Philologos's birth, parentage, or upbringing. His name, which means "fond of words" in Greek, appears in the Pauline greetings at the end of the Epistle to the Romans, which is the earliest witness to him. Later Church writers treat him as one of the Seventy, the wider circle of disciples sent out by the Lord in addition to the Twelve.
In the Church
Tradition holds that the Apostle Andrew consecrated Philologos as bishop of Sinope, a city on the southern shore of the Black Sea. The Church's apostolic-era hymnography presents the Seventy as bishops and preachers who carried the Gospel into many regions, and Philologos's episcopal ministry belongs to that pattern of ordained apostolic service.
Later years
No detailed account of Philologos's martyrdom, exile, or repose is given in the sources consulted, and none is asserted here. Some later traditions link him to the family of Marcion of Sinope, but reference works describe that connection only as possible.
Legacy and veneration
Philologos is honored in the Eastern Orthodox calendar on November 5 with Patrobas, Hermas, Linus and Gaius, and on January 4 within the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles. His troparion and kontakion are sung in the Church's services, and the Church's ancient calendars and synaxaria list him among the apostolic commemorations.
Veneration of St. Apostle Philologos of the Seventy How the saint's
memory is kept.
- Patronage
- Patron of Bishops of Sinope, Those seeking the intercession of the Seventy Apostles.
- Iconography
- The sources consulted do not describe the specific vestments or attributes by which Philologos is distinguished in iconography. He is known from the group depictions of the Seventy, such as the miniature of the Seventy in the Menologion of Basil II, where he appears among the named apostles. Because no distinguishing emblem is documented in the sources, the identifying feature of his icon is the inscription naming him as one of the Seventy, in company with Patrobas, Hermas, Linus and Gaius.
Frequently asked Questions about
St. Apostle Philologos of the Seventy.
- When is the feast day of Apostle Philologos of the Seventy?
- He is commemorated on November 5 together with Patrobas, Hermas, Linus and Gaius. He is also included in the Synaxis of the Seventy Apostles on January 4.
- Who consecrated Philologos as bishop?
- Church tradition holds that the Apostle Andrew consecrated Philologos as bishop of Sinope, a city in the Black Sea region.
- Where is Sinope today?
- Sinope is a Black Sea city in the region that is now part of Turkey, where Philologos is traditionally venerated as the early bishop.
- Is Philologos mentioned in the Bible?
- Yes. The Apostle Paul greets Philologos in Romans 16:15, alongside Julian.
- Who was Philologos's family?
- The sources consulted do not record his family. Some later traditions say he was the father of Marcion of Sinope, but reference works describe this only as a possibility.
- Are there relics of Apostle Philologos?
- No relics of Apostle Philologos are documented in the sources consulted, so no location is given.
- What is St. Apostle Philologos of the Seventy the patron saint of?
- St. Apostle Philologos of the Seventy is the patron saint of Bishops of Sinope and Those seeking the intercession of the Seventy Apostles.
Kontakion of St. Apostle Philologos of the Seventy
Tone 4
The Church ever sees you as a shining star, O apostle Philologus,
Your miracles have manifested great enlightenment.
Therefore we cry out to Christ:
"Save those who with faith honor Your apostle, O Most Merciful One."
Prayer to St. Apostle Philologos of the Seventy
No prayer specific to Apostle Philologos was located in the standard service books consulted, so none is given here. The troparion and kontakion above are the principal hymns addressed to him.
Carry the tradition with you.
Hand-finished icons, books, and calendars to carry the Orthodox day into your home.
Read a life like this
every morning.
Meet the daily saints through Orthodox Daily Companion on iPhone and iPad, or through the Lives of the Saints web app in any modern browser.
Orthodox Daily Companion
The native Apple app, with a Home Screen widget, prayer reminders, and a private on-device journal.
Download free on the App StoreLives of the Saints Web App
The browser experience for desktop, tablet, or phone, with a seven-day trial of the complete devotional library.
Open the web appGet a life like this one on every new tab - free, no account, from the same catalogue.
References and further reading
- en.orthodoxwiki.orghttps://en.orthodoxwiki.org/Apostle_Philologos
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2009/11/05/103179-apostles-patrobus-hermes-linus-gaius-and-philologus-of-the-seven
- oca.orghttps://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2021/01/04/100017-synaxis-of-the-seventy-apostles
- johnsanidopoulos.comhttps://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2016/11/holy-apostles-hermas-patrobas-gaius.html
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philologus_of_Sinope
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_5_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_4_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)
- biblicalcyclopedia.comhttps://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/P/philologus.html
- antiochianladiocese.comhttps://antiochianladiocese.com/synaxarion
- synaxis.infohttp://www.synaxis.info/synaxis/5_synaxarion/calendar_synaxarion/synax.html
- orthochristian.comhttps://orthochristian.com/89702.html
- wikiwand.comhttps://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Philologus_of_Sinope
- religion.fandom.comhttps://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Apostle_Philologos
- historica.fandom.comhttps://historica.fandom.com/wiki/Philologus_of_Sinope
- h4ckerz.comhttps://www.h4ckerz.com/Philologus_of_Sinope
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asyncritus_of_Hyrcania
- kid-facts.comhttps://www.kid-facts.com/2018/09/philologus-bishop-of-sinope.html
- stgeorge.orghttps://stgeorge.org/2022/01/feast-of-the-synaxis-of-the-70-apostles/
- wikidata.orghttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1993082
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_4_(Eastern_Orthodox_liturgics)
More from the tradition.
Read the Journal
Essays on feasts, fasting, and the rhythm of the Church year.
ExploreOrthodox countries
How the faith is lived and kept across the Christian world.
ExploreThe 2027 Calendar
A saint, a reading, and the day's fasting guideline for every day of 2027.
ExploreMobile & web apps
Carry the daily rhythm on iPhone and iPad or continue in the web app.
Explore