Taking the Truth from the Apostles, the Orthodox Church is an &amp;#8220;Apostolic&amp;#8221; Church; it has its roots in the apostolic ministry and succession, the apostolic faith and creed, and the apostolic word and scriptures by which the Apostles and their immediate successors defended the Orthodox Faith and kept it undefiled against heresies and persecutions.
After Judas&amp;#8217; replacement, the Twelve consisted of the following:
Simon Peter - (June 29 and January 16) crucified
Andrew the First-called - (November 30) brother of Peter; crucified
James (son of Zebedee) - (April 30) also called &amp;#8220;the Great&amp;#8221;; beheaded
John the Theologian - (September 26 and May 8) brother of James; reposed in a miraculous manner
Philip - (November 14) crucified
Bartholomew - (June 11 and August 25) also called Nathaniel; crucified, flayed and beheaded
Thomas - (October 6) pierced with five spears
Matthew - (November 16) also called Levi, brother of James; burned alive
James (son of Alphaeus) - (October 9) crucified
Jude - (June 19) also called Lebbaeus, surnamed Thaddeus, brother of James the brother of God; crucified
Simon the Zealot - (May 10) also called &amp;#8220;the Canaanite&amp;#8221;; crucified
Matthias - (August 9) replaced Judas Iscariot; stoned and beheaded
May they intercede for all of us!