February 14, 2016

Feast of the Corinthian Co-workers of the Apostle Paul: Titius, Justus, Chloe and Crispus



On the first Sunday after the 13th of February there is celebrated "in ancient Corinth", the memory of the co-workers of the Apostle Paul: Titius, Justus, Chloe and Crispus.

We only have biographical information about Saint Chloe. Accordingly, Saint Chloe was from Corinth (not Ephesus as some sources say), and was a significant co-worker of the Apostle Paul to the Church of Corinth.

Chloe had spiritual ties with the great Apostle of Christ. She stood by the Apostle in his missionary ministry, as much as possible. The anxiousness of the Apostle Paul for the Church of Corinth was shared by Chloe. This is why when a quarrel took place in the Church of Corinth, she rushed to Paul in Ephesus (1 Cor. 1:11). It was because of this that Saint Paul wrote his Epistles to the Corinthians.

This act by Chloe testifies to her faith in Christ and care for the household of God. Chloe did not want quarrels and divisions. She didn't want groups of believers, but unity in Christ (1 Cor. 1:12). She wanted the Church of Christ to be one Body whose Head was Christ (1 Col. 1:18). Therefore, to dispel the factionalism of the Church of Corinth, she ran to the founder of the Church of Corinth. And this intervention brought positive results.

May such a desire burn also within our souls. The desire for unity. And when there is a quarrel in a local church, like Chloe, rush to intervene through the Priest or Bishop, and help to restore unity.


Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
The splendor of grace, illuminated your nous, you were shown to be an associate, of the Apostle of Christ, who you informed to straighten the hearts, of the Church of Corinth that honors you. Blessed Chloe, as a divine handmaiden, cease not to intercede, on behalf of our souls.

Kontakion in the Second Tone
With the divine teachings of the gospel, Chloe was fruitfully tilled as the earth, you approached the Lord glorious one, being granted the heavenly fruits of righteousness as divine glory.

Megalynarion
Rejoicing you ran to Christ, blessed Chloe, having become divinely-minded through the teachings of the Apostles, you informed the earth by your conduct, and became a partaker of heavenly glory.