Apostles Carpus and Alphaeus of the Seventy

Apostles Carpus and Alphaeus of the Seventy
Heralds of the Gospel and Faithful Laborers in the Vineyard of Christ

On May 26, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates the holy Apostles Carpus and Alphaeus, two of the Seventy Apostles chosen and sent forth by our Lord Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel throughout the world. Though less frequently spoken of than the Twelve Apostles, the Seventy hold a sacred and honored place within the life of the Church, for they were among the earliest witnesses to Christ’s earthly ministry and among the first laborers entrusted with carrying His message into the nations.

The remembrance of these saints serves as a powerful reminder that the Kingdom of God was not built only through a handful of famous figures, but also through countless humble and faithful servants whose names may not always be widely known on earth, yet are eternally written in Heaven.

The Holy Apostle Carpus
The Holy Apostle Carpus is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Second Epistle to Timothy:

“The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.”
— 2 Timothy 4:13

Though this brief reference may seem simple, the Church preserves the memory of Carpus as one of the Seventy Apostles and a devoted disciple of Saint Paul. According to Holy Tradition, he later became Bishop of Beroea in Macedonia and labored tirelessly in preaching the Gospel among the pagans.

Saint Carpus is remembered not only for his missionary work, but also for his spiritual humility and obedience. The Apostle Paul trusted him deeply, and this trust itself reveals much about the saint’s character. In the early Church, fidelity, perseverance, and steadfastness in the Truth were precious virtues, especially during times of persecution and hardship.

The life of Saint Carpus also reminds us that sanctity is often hidden from the world. Many saints quietly carried enormous spiritual burdens without earthly recognition. Yet God sees the faithfulness of His servants, even when history records only a few words about them.

The Holy Apostle Alphaeus
The Apostle Alphaeus is likewise numbered among the Seventy Apostles. Tradition identifies him as the father of the Apostle James the Less, one of the Twelve Apostles. Through his family and his own faithful witness, Saint Alphaeus became part of the very foundation of the apostolic Church.

Though little survives concerning the details of his earthly life, the Church venerates him as one who followed Christ with sincerity and devotion. In the ancient Christian understanding, holiness was not measured by fame or worldly accomplishment, but by faithfulness to Christ and willingness to endure hardship for His Name.

The Apostles of the Seventy traveled through dangerous lands, often facing rejection, imprisonment, ridicule, hunger, and martyrdom. They carried no armies, wealth, or earthly power. Their strength was the Cross of Christ, the grace of the Holy Spirit, and unwavering trust in God.

Saint Alphaeus stands among those quiet pillars of the Church whose labor helped spread Christianity across the ancient world.

The Mission of the Seventy Apostles
In the Gospel according to Saint Luke, we read that Christ appointed seventy disciples and sent them before Him into every city and place:

“The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.”
— Luke 10:2

The Seventy Apostles symbolize the universal mission of the Church, the proclamation of salvation to all nations. Their ministry demonstrates that the Gospel was never intended to remain confined to one people or one region, but was given for the life of the whole world.

The Apostles Carpus and Alphaeus belonged to that first generation of Christian missionaries who helped carry the light of Christ into darkness. They preached during an age hostile to Christianity, when confessing Christ could cost one’s freedom or life. Yet they continued faithfully, knowing that eternal life is worth infinitely more than temporary earthly suffering.

Their example remains profoundly relevant today.

Modern Christians may not always face physical persecution, yet we live in an age filled with spiritual confusion, distraction, pride, materialism, and indifference toward God. The witness of the Apostles calls us to remain steadfast, courageous, and faithful even when the world around us drifts further from Christ.

Hidden Saints and Quiet Faithfulness
One of the beautiful lessons found in the commemoration of saints such as Carpus and Alphaeus is the reminder that many of God’s greatest servants remain largely hidden from human history.

The world celebrates celebrity, power, and recognition. The Kingdom of God often works differently.

Some saints preached before crowds. Others quietly preserved the Faith through humble obedience, prayer, hospitality, sacrifice, and endurance. Some were bishops and martyrs known throughout the world. Others are remembered only briefly in Scripture or Tradition, yet shine brilliantly before the throne of God.

This should encourage every Orthodox Christian.

Not all are called to public ministry or dramatic acts of heroism. But all are called to faithfulness.

The mother quietly raising children in the Faith, the monk praying in hiddenness, the laborer struggling honestly to provide for his family, the elderly widow praying daily for the world, the believer enduring hardship without losing hope, all of these participate in the same Gospel witness carried by the Apostles.

God does not measure greatness according to worldly standards.
He looks upon the heart.

A Call to Apostolic Faithfulness
The feast of the Apostles Carpus and Alphaeus ultimately calls us back to apostolic Christianity, not merely in outward form, but in spirit and life.

The Apostles lived with simplicity, courage, repentance, humility, and total trust in Christ. They understood that Christianity was not merely a philosophy or cultural identity, but a living communion with the crucified and risen Lord.

In our own time, Orthodox Christians are likewise called to become witnesses of Christ through both word and example. Every act of kindness, every prayer, every struggle against sin, every confession of truth, and every effort to love God and neighbor becomes part of the ongoing apostolic mission of the Church.

The Gospel continues to spread not only through sermons and missions, but through transformed lives.

May the holy Apostles Carpus and Alphaeus intercede for us before the throne of God, strengthening us to remain faithful amid the trials and distractions of this present age.

May they help us cultivate humility, perseverance, courage, and unwavering love for Christ and His Holy Church.

Holy Apostles Carpus and Alphaeus, pray unto God for us!
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