CENCHREAE (Ks γγ_{ {cral }} Cenchrae). — At present Kehribs, an ancient port of Corinth that served for communications with the East. At Cenchreae St. Paul embarked on his return from the second apostolic journey with Aquila and Priscilla, who there had fulfilled a vow of the Nazirite by shaving their heads (Acts 18:18). There was a church organized there where the deaconess Phoebe carried on a fervent charitable activity. In 58 A.D., St. Paul sent from Cenchreae the important Epistle to the Romans (q.v.), making use of Phoebe’s services (Rom. 16:1–2).
Bibl.: E. Le Camus, Cenchrées, in DB. II, cols. 403–406. Pietro De Ambroggi