What little is known of St. Phoebe and her part in the early Church is derived from her brief mention in St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “And I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well” (Rom 16:1-2). Cenchreae was a port city near Corinth, where Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, and it has been speculated that Phoebe was in fact entrusted with the delivery of this letter.  

The more interesting speculation regards her designation as a “deacon” (diakonos), the same word used in Acts 6 to designate those men appointed to serve the local Church, attending particularly to the needs of the poor. In any case, she was commended by St. Paul for her help to others, including himself. She stands for many unnamed women who minister in the Church and play an indispensable role in spreading the Gospel.  

“Note how many ways Paul dignifies Phoebe. He mentions her before all the rest and even calls her his sister. It is no small thing to be called the sister of Paul! Moreover, he has mentioned her rank of deacon as well.” —St. John Chrysostom, Homily on Romans