Apostle 1st century

Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy Bishop of Britain

1st century

Also known as Aristobulos · Aristobulus of Britannia

One of the Seventy Apostles and brother of the Apostle Barnabas, mentioned by St Paul in Romans 16:10. He is honored as a first preacher of the Gospel and a bishop in Britain.

Feast Day

March 16

Also Oct 31, Mar 15

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Commemorated as

The Holy and All-Praised Apostle Aristobulus of the Seventy, Bishop of Britain

Come to them for

Missionary Work

Life

Aristobulus is honored among the Seventy Apostles of the early Church and is traditionally identified as the brother of the Apostle Barnabas. Greek, Latin, and Alexandrian traditions describe him as of Jewish Cypriot origin.

His name is connected with the greeting in the Epistle to the Romans, 'Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household' (Romans 16:10), though commentators have disputed whether the verse refers to this apostle. He is remembered above all as a missionary sent westward, and is venerated as the first bishop in Roman Britain.

Timeline 3 moments Read Hide

1st century Among the Seventy Aristobulus is reckoned among the Seventy whom Christ sent out (cf. Luke 10:1-24); early witnesses such as Hippolytus and a tradition attributed to Dorotheus place him in their number. He is also counted among the helpers of the Apostle Andrew, grouped in the synaxaria with Urban, Stachys, Ampliatus, Apelles, and Narcissus.
1st century Mission to the West Like his brother Barnabas, Aristobulus is said to have accompanied the Apostle Paul. Tradition holds that he preached to the Celtiberians of northern Hispania on his way to his principal mission in Roman Britain, where he is honored as the first bishop and a founder of Christianity.
1st century Repose Orthodox tradition holds that Aristobulus died in peace in Britain. Other, chiefly Western, accounts instead describe him as a martyr in Wales. Dates assigned by later antiquaries vary widely, from about the second year of Nero (c. 56) to as late as 99 at Glastonbury.

Contributions & Legacy

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Identity and Origins

Aristobulus is named among the Seventy Apostles, the wider circle of disciples distinct from the Twelve. His inclusion among them is supported by early lists, including one attributed to Hippolytus (c. 170-235) and a tradition under the name of Dorotheus.

Greek, Latin, and Alexandrian traditions agree in describing him as of Jewish Cypriot origin and as the brother of the Apostle Barnabas. He is also grouped among the assistants of the Apostle Andrew, alongside Urban of Macedonia, Stachys, Ampliatus, Apelles of Heraklion, and Narcissus of Athens, figures associated with the greetings of Romans 16:8-11.

The Scriptural Reference

The Epistle to the Romans includes the greeting, 'Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household' (Romans 16:10). Tradition has linked this Aristobulus to the apostle, though scholars have debated whether the verse refers to him or to another person of the same name.

Mission and Repose

Aristobulus is remembered as a missionary who carried the Gospel westward. He is associated by tradition with preaching to the Celtiberians of northern Hispania before reaching Roman Britain, where he is venerated as the first bishop and a founder of the Christian faith.

Accounts of his death diverge. Orthodox tradition states that he reposed in peace in Britain, while other accounts, mostly Western, describe him as a martyr in Wales. Later writers proposed varying dates: the antiquary Michael Alford placed his death about the second year of Nero (c. 56), and Serenus de Cressy located it at Glastonbury around 99.

Commemorated with Read Hide

The Seventy Apostles

Commemorated together · Jan 4

Notes

Also commemorated Oct 31.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints; en.wikipedia.org