ARISTARCHUS, St. — A Christian of Thessalonica, converted from Judaism, a companion and collaborator of St. Paul, with whom he appears in Ephesus during his third missionary journey.
Dragged by the angry mob into the theatre along with Gaius (v.) during the riot against Paul, he ran the risk of being massacred (Acts 19:29). He then accompanied the Apostle throughout the journey through Macedonia and Greece, and returned with him to Jerusalem where Paul was arrested (Acts 20:4). Imprisoned with him, he traveled to Rome (Acts 27:2), where he remained a faithful “fellow prisoner” and shared in his labors (Col. 4:10; Philem. 24). According to the Roman Martyrology, he would have been bishop of Thessalonica; according to Byzantine tradition, of Apamea in Phrygia. He is said to have been beheaded in Rome with St. Paul. His feast is celebrated on August 4.