Theodoret. in Philipp. p. 323, 333. Philipp. ii. 25. iv. 18. In the year of J. C. 61.EPAPHRODITUS, Bishop, or, as St. Paul calls him, Apostle of Philippi; or, if we understand the word Apostolus in its literal signification, the Messenger of the Philippians, because he was sent by the faithful of this Church, to carry money to the Apostle, who was then in bonds, and in their name to be serviceable to him with his person. This commission he executed with abundance of zeal, and exposed himself to great dangers, whereby he brought upon himself an indispostion, which reduced him to extremity, and obliged him to remain a long time at Rome. The year following, which was the 62d of Jesus Christ, he returned with all the haste he could to Philippi, because he had intelligence, that the Philippians, upon receiving information of his sickness, had been very much afflicted at it. St. Paul sent a letter by him to the Philippians, which acquaints us with all these particulars.
The Greeks observe the Festival of Epaphroditus on the 8th or 9th of December, as well as on the 29th and 30th of March, and style him Apostle, one of the seventy Disciples, and Bishop of Adriasa or Andraca. A Discourse, whereof Metaphrastes is said to be the author, informs us, that St. Peter ordained one of this name Bishop of Terracina, but does not tell us, whether this be the same Epaphroditus, of whom St. Paul makes mention. The Roman Kalendar settles the Festival of Epaphroditus, Bishop of Terracina, upon the 22d of March.