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Aristarchus orAristarch (Ancient Greek:ἈρίσταρχοςAristarkhos), "aMacedonian ofThessalonica" (Acts 27:2), was anearly Christian mentioned in a few passages of theNew Testament. He accompaniedSaint Paul on his journey to Rome. Along with Gaius, anotherRoman Macedonian, Aristarchus was seized by the mob atEphesus and taken into the theater (Acts 19:29). Later, Aristarchus returned with Paul fromGreece toAsia (Acts 20:4). AtCaesarea, he embarked with Paul on a ship ofAdramyttium bound forMyra inLycia (Acts 27:2); whether he traveled with him from there toRome is not recorded. Aristarchus is described as Paul's "fellow prisoner" and "fellow laborer" inColossians 4:10 andPhilemon 1:24, respectively.
InEastern Orthodox andEastern Catholic tradition, Aristarchus is identified as one of theSeventy Apostles and bishop ofApamea. He is commemorated as a saint andmartyr onJanuary 4,April 14, andSeptember 27. He is mentioned in the Roman Martyrology on August 4.[1]
Aristarchus son of Aristarchus, apolitarch of Thessalonica (39/38 BC?)[2]may be the same person with Aristarchus.[3][4]
