Syntyche of Philippi

When was Syntyche active?

Syntyche of Philippi is dated fl. c. 62 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Syntyche in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). 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 Syntyche?

Syntyche of Philippi is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Paul and John Chrysostom. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.

Where was Syntyche from?

The archive associates Syntyche of Philippi with Philippi.

Who were Syntyche’s contemporaries?

The archive links Syntyche of Philippi to 6 other figures, including Euodia of Philippi, Syzygus (“True Yokefellow”), Lydia of Thyatira and Paul of Tarsus. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.

…help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

“I exhort Euodia, and exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women.” Some say Paul here exhorts his own wife; but it is not so, but some other woman, or the husband of one of them. … Do you see how great a testimony he bears to their virtue? … **These women seem to me to be the chief of the Church which was there**, and he commendeth them to some notable man whom he calls his “yokefellow” … as he doth in the Epistle to the Romans, when he saith, “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, who is a servant of the Church that is at Cenchrea.” … “Labored with me.” What sayest thou? Did women labor with thee? Yes, he answers, they too contributed no small portion. Although many were they who wrought together with him, yet these women also acted with him amongst the many. The Churches then were no little edified, for many good ends are gained where they who are approved, **be they men, or be they women**, enjoy from the rest such honor.