Story
St. Erastus the Apostle was numbered among the Seventy whom the Lord chose and sent forth to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Having followed the Master and beheld His mighty works, he was counted worthy to remain among the company of the faithful in Jerusalem after the Lord's Ascension.
In the upper room of Zion he received the grace of the Holy Spirit together with the Disciples, when the Comforter descended upon the Church. Filled with this divine power, he gave himself wholly to the service of the Gospel, preaching, ministering, and enduring tribulations together with the apostles, and he served faithfully as a steward in the household of the Church.
The Disciples ordained him a bishop, and he labored in teaching the word of God and confirming the believers in the faith. Through his hands the Lord wrought miracles; for among his wonders he changed bitter, salty water into sweet water, that the people might believe and glorify God.
He also became a fellow-laborer of St. Paul the Apostle, ministering unto him in his many journeys for the spreading of the Gospel, and he is remembered in the Acts of the Apostles (see Acts 19:22 (Acts 19:22)).
After he had fought the good fight and reached a good old age in the labors of the apostolic ministry, St. Erastus departed in peace. The Coptic Orthodox Church commemorates his departure on the twenty-ninth of Baramouda. May his prayers and blessing be with us. Amen.