Apostle-Deacons Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas

Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas were four of the seven deacons named in the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles — the seven men of good report and full of the Holy Spirit whom the Twelve laid hands upon to serve the daily distribution of food to the widows of the Jerusalem church. Of the seven, Stephen and Philip the Evangelist are remembered separately; these four are commemorated together on July 28, alongside their fellow-deacons.

Of Prochorus, the most famous of the four, tradition makes him the chosen companion of the Apostle John in his old age — the one who accompanied John to the island of Patmos at his exile under Domitian and who, by some accounts, served as his amanuensis in writing down the Gospel and the Apocalypse. He afterwards served as bishop of Nicomedia in Bithynia and was martyred there. Nicanor died in Jerusalem during the persecution that followed the stoning of Stephen. Timon served as bishop of Bostra in Arabia and was burned at the stake. Parmenas served and reposed in peace in Macedonia.

Their joint feast is kept on July 28, with the Synaxis of the Seven Deacons on July 28 as well.