Archippus

This article is about the 1st century Christian believer. For the Athenian comic poet, see Archippus (poet). For the 2nd century BCE Greek general, see Archippus of Achaea.
Saint

Archippus
Martyr
Bornpossibly Colossae, Asia, Roman Empire
or
Laodicea, Asia, Roman Empire
Diedc. 1st century
Venerated inEastern Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Feast19 February (Eastern Orthodox Church)
20 March (Roman Catholic Church)

Archippus (/ɑːrˈkɪpəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἄρχιππος, "master of the horse") was an early Christian believer mentioned briefly in the New Testament epistles of Philemon and Colossians.

Role in the New Testament

In Paul's letter to Philemon (Philemon 1:2), Archippus is named once alongside Philemon and Apphia as a host of the church, and a "fellow soldier." In Colossians 4:17 (ascribed to Paul), the church is instructed to tell Archippus to "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it."

Role in tradition

According to the 4th century Apostolic Constitutions (7.46), Archippus was the first bishop of Laodicea in Phrygia (now part of Turkey). Another tradition states that he was one of the 72 disciples appointed by Jesus Christ in Luke 10:1. The Roman Catholic Church observes a feast day for Saint Archippus on March 20. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes a feast day on February 19 as well as November 22 along with Saints Philemon, Apphia, and Onesimus. According to tradition, he was stoned to death.

See also