Apostles (in Greek ‘messenger, envoy’), Jesus Christ’s disciples, chosen by him to preach the Gospel, The good news about the coming of the Kingdom of God. They are divided into the 12 apostles, the closest disciples of Jesus Christ and the 70 apostles. Among the 12 apostles were Jesus’s privileged disciples: Simon (Peter), his brother Andrew, James and John (sons of Zebedee), Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael in the Gospel according St. John), Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Altheus), Judas or Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananaen or Zealot and Matthias replacing Judas Iscariot. Paul, the pagan Apostle, also claimed the title of the 12 privileged on the ground that he had been commissioned by God. The mission of the 12 selected was according to the evangelist: “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach” (Mark 3:14). Feast day: 12 June (13 July). Traditionally, in Orthodox art apostle Paul and evangelists Mark and Luke, who belonged to the 70 apostles, are depicted among the 12. The 12 apostles upon twelve thrones with open books and angels, celestial guards, standing behind them – part of the composition The Last Judgement. According to Jesus Christ’s promise (Matthew 19:28), the apostles are represented as judges sitting “upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel”.
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