Hermes of Philippopolis

Hermes of Philippopolis was one of the Seventy Disciples and was bishop in Philippopolis in Thrace (today's Plovdiv, Bulgaria). The Shepherd of Hermas is also traditionally ascribed to him. He is referenced in Romans 16:14, and his feast day is celebrated on May 31, on November 5 with Apostles Patrobas, Linus, Gaius, and Philologos, and on January 4 among the Seventy.

Life

He was wealthy, but fell into poverty because of sin and the sins of his sons. He was thus supposedly visited by an angel of repentance, who is said to have stayed with him until the end of his life, during which time he wrote The Shepherd of Hermas ^[1] He ended his life as a martyr.

Source

• St. Nikolai Velimirovic, The Prologue from Ohrid

Notes

1. The Shepherd of Hermas is a widely read work in the early Church detailing the teachings the angel gave him and focusing on repentance:
   • believe in God
   • live in simplicity and innocence; do not speak evil; give alms to all who beg
   • love truth and avoid falsehood
   • preserve chastity in your thoughts
   • learn patience and generosity
   • know that a good and an evil spirit attend every man
   • fear God and not the devil
   • perform every good act, and refrain from every evil deed
   • pray to God from the depth of your soul with faith that your prayers will be fulfilled
   • guard against melancholy, the sister of doubt and anger
   • test true and false spirits
   • guard against every evil desire

External links

Biographical links

• Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, January 4 (OCA)
• Apostle Hermas of the Seventy, May 31 (OCA)
• Apostle Hermes of the Seventy, November 5 (OCA)

Writings by Hermas

• Early Christian Writings: The Shepherd of Hermas

References

• This article is derived in whole or in part from Hermes of Philippopolis at OrthodoxWiki, which is dually licensed under CC-By-SA and GFDL. All relevant terms must be followed.