Epaphras
Life and witness
The birth-day of St. Epaphras, whom St. Paul the apostle calls his fellow-prisoner, who by the same apostle being ordained bishop of Colossi, renowned for his virtues, stoutly defending the flock committed to his charge, he there received the triumphant palm of martyrdom. His body lies at Rome, in the church of St. Mary Major.
Biographical overview
Epaphras (Greek: Ἐπαφρᾶς) was an observer of the Apostle Paul mentioned twice in the New Testament epistle of Colossians and once in the New Testament letter to Philemon.
Martyrologium Romanum · Latin witness
Colossis, in Phrygia, natalis sancti Epaphrae, quem sanctus Paulus Apostolus concaptivum appellat. Hic, ab eodem Apostolo Colossis Episcopus ordinatus, ibidem, clarus virtutibus, martyrii palmam, pro ovibus sibi commendatis, virili agone percepit; cujus corpus Romae, in Basilica sanctae Mariae Majoris, conditum est.