Saint Phoebe the Deaconess at Cenchreae near Corinth

Commemorated on September 3.

Saint Phoebe is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Romans 16:1-2. "I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, the deaconess 1 of the church of Cenchrea 2 that you may receive her in the Lord, as befits the saints, and may assist her in whatever business she has need of you, for she has been a helper of many, and of myself as well" (Romans 16:1-2).

She may have been the one who delivered this Epistle, and then planned to continue her work in Rome.

1 Since Saint Paul called her diakonos, Origen concluded that this passage meant that women were appointed to the ministry of the Church (Commentary on Romans, Book 10, chapter 17). Saint John Chrysostom merely says: "Moreover, he has added to her rank by mentioning her as being a 'deaconess' (On Romans, Homily XXX). There are two possibilities: the word could mean 'servant' in a general sense (as in Matthew 20:26; 22:13; John 2:5:9; and in Romans 13:4. It may refer to her as one who had a special ministry to women, preparing them for Baptism, instruction, etc.

2 The village of Cenchrea (Κεγχρεαί) was a ship's wharf in Corinth.