The Apostolic Fathers · AD 70–130
Burrhus of Ephesus
fl. c. 108 (death unrecorded) · Deacon of Ephesus · Letter-carrier for Ignatius · Ephesus → Troas
The Apostolic Fathers
Who Burrhus of Ephesus was
A deacon of Ephesus whom Ignatius, on his march to Rome, begged to keep as a travelling companion — “your deacon Burrhus, whom you sent with Crocus,” lent by the churches of Ephesus and Smyrna to serve the prisoner. At Troas he acted as Ignatius’s amanuensis, writing out the letters to the Philadelphians and Smyrnaeans at the bishop’s dictation. The earliest named Christian secretary after the apostolic scribes.
Common questions
When was Burrhus active?
Burrhus of Ephesus is dated fl. c. 108 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Burrhus in the Apostolic Fathers (AD 70–130). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Burrhus?
Burrhus of Ephesus is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Ignatius of Antioch. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Burrhus from?
The archive associates Burrhus of Ephesus with Ephesus, Troas. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Burrhus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Burrhus of Ephesus to 5 other figures, including Ignatius of Antioch, Onesimus, Crocus of Ephesus and Euplus of Ephesus. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
To the Ephesians 2.1 (their deacon, asked for as companion)
c. AD 107As to my fellow-servant Burrhus, your deacon in regard to God and blessed in all things, I beg that he may continue longer, both for your honour and that of your bishop.Ignatius of Antioch · To the Ephesians 2 · source text
To the Smyrnaeans 12.1 (the letter sent back by his hand)
c. AD 107I write to you by Burrhus, whom ye sent with me, together with the Ephesians your brethren.Ignatius of Antioch · To the Smyrnaeans 12 · source text
To the Philadelphians 11
c. AD 108…by Burrhus, whom ye sent with me, together with the Ephesians your brethren, and he hath refreshed me in every way.Ignatius of Antioch · 11 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
- AD 70 · The fall of Jerusalem, AD 70
- AD 95 · Domitian’s reprisals, AD 95
- AD 96 · Rome writes to Corinth: 1 Clement, AD 96
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Burrhus, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.