Commemoration Day of
the Seventy-Two Disciples of Christ
In addition to the Twelve Apostles, our Lord Jesus Christ also chose seventy-two disciples and sent them forth to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Although the Holy Gospel does not preserve the names of these disciples, their mission remains an important witness to the universal calling of the Church.
In the Gospels, the word disciple is used broadly for those who followed Christ, listened to His teaching, and dedicated themselves to His way. These seventy-two were entrusted with a special mission. The Lord sent them out two by two, “like lambs into the midst of wolves,” to prepare the way for His coming and to announce that the Kingdom of God had drawn near.
Their mission was not one of worldly power, but of faith, humility, courage, and obedience. They were called to enter towns and villages, to heal the sick, to bring peace, and to proclaim the saving message of God. Christ gave them a profound assurance concerning the sacred responsibility of their ministry: “Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me” (Luke 10:16).
These words reveal the close bond between Christ and those whom He sends. The disciples did not preach in their own name, nor did they rely upon their own strength. Their authority came from the Lord Himself, and their mission was a continuation of His saving work in the world.
In this respect, there is little distinction between the mission of the Apostles and that of the seventy-two disciples. Both were sent to proclaim the Kingdom of God, both received authority from Christ, and both were called to serve faithfully in His name. As the Gospel tells us, Christ gave His chosen servants power to heal and to overcome the forces of evil, so that through their ministry the mercy and authority of God might be made known.
Yet unlike the Twelve Apostles, whose names are recorded in Holy Scripture, the names of the seventy-two remain largely hidden from us. Their earthly identities may have faded from human memory, but they are not forgotten before God. Like the Holy Innocents of Bethlehem and countless other faithful servants whose names are unknown to history, they are known perfectly to the Lord. Their names are written, not merely in the records of this world, but in the sacred book of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The commemoration of the seventy-two disciples therefore reminds us that holiness does not depend upon earthly recognition. Many of God’s most faithful servants labor quietly, without fame or praise, yet their witness is precious in His sight. The disciples teach us that what matters most is not that our names be remembered by the world, but that our lives remain faithful to Christ.
Their example also speaks directly to every Christian. The mission entrusted to the disciples did not end with them. Every believer, according to his or her calling, is invited to bear witness to the Gospel through faith, love, mercy, and service. Christ continues to send His followers into a world that often resists His message, asking them to carry peace where there is division, hope where there is despair, and truth where there is confusion.
The Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the Seventy-Two Disciples of Christ on the Saturday following the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varag. On this day, the Church gives thanks for these faithful servants of the Lord, whose names may be hidden from us but whose devotion and mission remain forever honored before God.
May their example inspire us to become true disciples of Christ—faithful in service, courageous in witness, humble in heart, and always ready to proclaim, through both word and life, the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
~ Wisdom of Solomon 9:9–10:2 ~
With you is wisdom, who knows your works and was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments. Send her forth from the holy heavens, and from the throne of your glory dispatch her, that she may be present with me and labor with me, so that I may learn what is pleasing to you. For she knows and understands all things, and she will guide me wisely in my actions and guard me with her glory. Then my works will be acceptable, and I will judge your people righteously and be worthy of the throne of my father. For what human can know the counsel of God? Or who can discern what the Lord wills? For the reasoning of mortals is worthless, and our intentions are uncertain; for a corruptible body weighs down the soul, and this earthly tent burdens the thoughtful mind. We can hardly guess at what is on earth, and what is close at hand we discover with difficulty; who then has searched out what is in the heavens? Who has learned your counsel, unless you have given wisdom and sent your Holy Spirit from on high? And thus the paths of those on earth were set straight, and people were taught what pleases you, and were saved by wisdom.
Wisdom protected the first-formed father of the world, when he alone had been created, and delivered him from his own transgression, and gave him strength to rule over all things.
~ Exodus 15:27–16:1 ~
Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the waters. They set out from Elim, and the whole congregation of the Israelites came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from the land of Egypt.
~ 2 Corinthians 2:14–3:3 ~
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and spreads through us the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing— to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is worthy of these things? For we are not like so many, peddling the word of God; but as persons of sincerity, as sent from God, we speak in Christ before God.
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter of Christ, prepared by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
~ Holy Gospel of St. Luke 10:1–9 ~
After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace to this house!' And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you.'