Phoebe | |
|---|---|
| Deaconess, Witness to the Faith | |
| Born | 1st century |
| Died | 1st century |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Oriental Orthodox Church Church of the East Anglican Communion Lutheran Church |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Feast | September 3 (Catholic Church & Orthodox Churches) October 25 (Lutheran Church) |
Phoebe (Koine Greek: Φοίβη) was a first-century Christian woman mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans, verses 16:1–2. A notable woman in the church of Cenchreae, she was trusted by Paul to deliver his letter to the Romans.[1] Paul refers to her both as a "servant" or "deacon" (Greek diakonos, which means "servant") and as a helper or patron of many (Greek prostatis). This is the only place in the New Testament where a woman is specifically referred to with these two distinctions. Paul introduces Phoebe as his emissary to the church in Rome and, because they are not acquainted with her, Paul provides them with her credentials.