Rufus (Hastings' Dictionary)

In Mk 15-' we are told that Simon of Cyrune, who bore our Lord's cross, was the father of Alexander and Rufus. In Ro 16'^ St. Paul sends his salutation to Rufus, ' the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.' The name, meaning 'red,' 'reddish,' was among the com- monest of slave names. The mention of Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus seems to imply that the two latter were known in the circles to which the Gospel was addressed. There is some evidence for tliinking that St.

Mark's Gospel was written in Rome ; if this be so, then the same person may be referred to in both passages ; but as the name was so common, this can be only a conjecture. 'Chosen in the Lord' implies some particular eminence as a Christian, and not merely one of the elect, which would not be any special distinction. By 'his mother and mine,' St. Paul means that the mother of Rufus had on some occasion shown to him the care of a mother, and that therefore he felt for her the alfection of a son.

The name of Rufus was made use of largely in legendary hi9tor>'. He is introduced into the Acts of Andrew and of PHer. According to one account he was bishop of Thebea ; aoconJinp to another, bishop of Capua ; according to anotlnT, bishop o( Avi|,'non. The last legend states that he tr:i\xllfd to .Spain, founded the church at Tortosa, went over the Alps to Narhonne, and preached in Avi;.'non. He appears to have been commemorated on the 12th, 14th, and 21st November. A. C. Headlam. RHG.

-Jg 4" RV and AVm. See Mantle, No. 4.