Prochorus the Deacon

Prochorus, known in Greek as Prochoros, holds a significant place in early Christian tradition as one of the Seven Deacons appointed by the nascent church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:5) to minister to the poor. Beyond this foundational role, holy tradition also identifies him as one of the Seventy Disciples whom Jesus sent out (Luke 10).

Life and Ministry

Tradition suggests Prochorus was the nephew of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. His early ministry is closely linked with prominent apostles. According to one tradition, Saint Peter ordained Prochorus as the bishop of Nicomedia. A variant account describes him as a companion of Saint John the Apostle, who himself consecrated Prochorus as bishop of Nicomedia in Bithynia.

Later traditions place him as the bishop of Antioch, where he is believed to have ended his life as a martyr in the 1st century. While some modern scholars question his authorship of the apocryphal Acts of John, his veneration as a key figure in the early church remains.

Veneration and Iconography

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Prochorus is honored for his service and martyrdom. He is jointly celebrated on July 28th, alongside other saints who were both among the Seven Deacons and the Seventy Disciples. Orthodox iconography commonly depicts him as a scribe working alongside John the Theologian, highlighting his connection to the beloved disciple and his intellectual contributions to early Christian writings.