Phoebe
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(bright; Rom. 16:1–2)—a deacon or minister of the church at Cenchreae, the eastern port of Corinth. Paul commends her to the Christians in Rome and asks them to receive her in the Lord and assist her, because she had been a benefactor or patron of many, including Paul himself. She was probably entrusted with carrying Paul’s Epistle to the Romans; the source mistakenly attributes that epistle to Luke. Saint John Chrysostom praises the honor Paul gives her. Orthodox tradition commemorates her on September 3.