Epaphras

(from the Greek — perhaps: covered with foam) (Col. 1:7; 4:12; Philem. 23) — an apostle of the Seventy, a native of Colossae. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Colossians (1:7), speaks of Epaphras as “our dear fellowservant,” and “a faithful minister of Christ.” Tradition says that he was the first bishop of Colossae; according to ancient martyrologies, he died a martyr’s death. His memory is kept on January 4.