Written information about Saint Prochoros is scarce. The only mention of his name is in the Acts of the Apostles (6:5), as one of the seven first Deacons ordained by the Apostles. A tradition states that he was the nephew of the Protomartyr Stephen. Apart from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, there is no other mention of his name in an official ecclesiastical document.
He is traditionally numbered among the Seventy Apostles, and it is believed he first accompanied the Apostle Peter before joining the Apostle John in his missionary travels.
More information is found in the Apocryphal work "Acts, namely the Travels of Saint John the Evangelist, written by his disciple Prochoros." According to the said book, manuscripts of which date back to the 6th century and are preserved in the Monastery of Saint John in Patmos, Prochoros is presented as a disciple and follower of the Apostle John in Asia Minor, in Ephesus and in Patmos. While on the island of Patmos it is believed that the Apostle John dictated to Prochoros his Gospel.
He is traditionally numbered among the Seventy Apostles, and it is believed he first accompanied the Apostle Peter before joining the Apostle John in his missionary travels.
More information is found in the Apocryphal work "Acts, namely the Travels of Saint John the Evangelist, written by his disciple Prochoros." According to the said book, manuscripts of which date back to the 6th century and are preserved in the Monastery of Saint John in Patmos, Prochoros is presented as a disciple and follower of the Apostle John in Asia Minor, in Ephesus and in Patmos. While on the island of Patmos it is believed that the Apostle John dictated to Prochoros his Gospel.
It is also believed that at the time of the visions described in the Book of Revelation, or the Apocalypse, he was present and recorded what the Apostle John dictated to him. The presence of Prochoros, although not verified by an authoritative source, is reinforced by its depiction in Orthodox iconography, which in a way crystallizes the unrecorded tradition.
After the Apostle John's recall from exile, Prochoros accompanied him to Ephesus and then, upon John's recommendation, went to Nicomedia, where he was ordained Bishop and suffered a martyr's death. Another tradition says his ordination and martyrdom took place in Antioch. The Church commemorates him on July 28.
After the Apostle John's recall from exile, Prochoros accompanied him to Ephesus and then, upon John's recommendation, went to Nicomedia, where he was ordained Bishop and suffered a martyr's death. Another tradition says his ordination and martyrdom took place in Antioch. The Church commemorates him on July 28.
