Hermes

(Mercury, the Greek god of gain) — also greeted by the Apostle Paul, together with Hermas and others, in the Epistle to the Romans (16:14). Nothing more is known of him. His memory is kept on January 7 and April 8. Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Origen ascribe to Hermes the epistle entitled “The Shepherd,” from the contents of which show that its author was a married man with children. It originally appeared in Greek, but at present survives only in a Latin translation. Although this epistle always enjoyed great esteem among Christians, it was never received by the Church into the canon of sacred books.

It consists of three parts: the first contains a description of four visions; the second, twelve moral precepts; and the third, ten similitudes, each of which embodies some truth. It is notable in the epistle of Hermas that every man, throughout the whole course of his earthly life, is accompanied by one good and one evil angel. His memory is kept on January 4 and March 8.