Saint Jason
Saint Jason of Thessalonica (flourished 1st century AD; died c. 1st century AD) was a disciple of the Apostle Paul mentioned in the New Testament (Romans 16:21, Acts 17:5–9) and is venerated in the Eastern Church as one of the Seventy Apostles. He sheltered Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and was arrested and brought before the city authorities on their behalf. Eastern tradition makes him the first bishop of Tarsus and later of Corfu, where he died a martyr. His feast day is April 28 (shared with Sosipater).
Stored in Cargo: Saint Jason
| Saint Jason | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | April 28 (shared with Sosipater) |
| Profession | New Testament disciple; bishop (Eastern tradition); martyr (Eastern tradition) |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox Church; one of the Seventy Apostles; host of Paul and Silas at Thessalonica |
| Patronage | Corfu; Thessalonica; hosts who welcome missionaries; those arrested for their faith |
| Attributes | New Testament scroll; bishop's vestments (Eastern icons); palm (martyr); Corfu setting |
| Birthplace | Thessalonica, Macedonia (modern Greece); or Tarsus, Cilicia |
| Death Place | Corfu (Kerkyra), Greece, by tradition; c. late 1st century AD |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom (Eastern tradition); died for the faith c. late 1st century AD |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of Corfu (Church of the Holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater), Corfu, Greece — the oldest church on Corfu; one of the primary shrines of the island |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast April 28; observed in Eastern Churches and Greek Catholic communities |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed in Eastern tradition |
Biography
Jason is mentioned in the New Testament as a resident of Thessalonica who sheltered the Apostle Paul and his companion Silas when they arrived to preach in the city (Acts 17:5–9). When a mob attacked his house, they did not find Paul but seized Jason himself and dragged him before the city authorities (politarchs — a title confirmed by archaeological inscriptions). He was released on bond. Paul later greets him in Romans 16:21 as my kinsman (suggenēs — a fellow Jew, or possibly a relative).
Eastern Christian tradition identifies him as one of the Seventy Apostles — the wider group of disciples sent out by Jesus beyond the Twelve (Luke 10:1–12). It makes him first bishop of Tarsus (Paul's hometown) and then bishop of Corfu (Kerkyra), where he died a martyr with his companion Sosipater. The Church of the Holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater in Corfu is one of the oldest churches on the island.
His feast is observed on April 28 together with Sosipater.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Thessalonica, Macedonia (modern Greece); or Tarsus, Cilicia
Death location: Corfu (Kerkyra), Greece, by tradition; c. late 1st century AD
Notable location:
Notable location: Eastern tradition says he became bishop of Corfu after missionary work in Tarsus; he is one of the patron saints of Corfu; the island's main cathedral honors him; he allegedly died a martyr at Corfu; Eastern pilgrims visit the island in connection with his memory (Corfu (Kerkyra), Greece)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Church of the Holy Apostles Jason and Sosipater, Corfu, Greece — one of the oldest churches in Corfu; primary shrine.
Feast day
April 28
Veneration
Saint Jason is venerated with a feast day on April 28 in the Eastern Churches and in the Catholic Church of Corfu.
Prayers
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