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| Sts. Apelles, Luke and Clement the Apostles (Feast Day - September 10) |
Verses
Divine Luke with Apelles and Clement,
Apostles acquainted with the Apostles.
Saints Apelles, Luke, and Clement are numbered among the Seventy Apostles of the Lord.
Apelles is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans (16:10): "Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ." It appears therefore that from Jerusalem he went to Rome and met the Apostle Paul there, and by Paul stating that he was "approved" indicates that he must have overcome some trial in the name of Christ. From Rome he went to Smyrna, which he illuminated with the light of the gospel. He is not to be confused with the other Apostle Apelles of the Seventy commemorated on October 31st as one of the followers of the Apostle Andrew and who became Bishop of Heraclea.
Luke is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Second Epistle to Timothy (4:11): "Only Luke is with me."* He was the first Bishop of Laodicea in Syria. After shepherding the rational flock of Christ well, he departed to the Lord in peace. He is not to be confused with the Apostle Luke the Evangelist.
Clement is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians (4:3): "...along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the Book of Life." He was Bishop of Sardis, and after suffering wounds on behalf of Christ, he departed to the Lord. He is not to be confused with Clement of Rome.
Notes:
* Some say this verse refers to Luke the Evangelist.