Phebe

Phebe (also Phoebe, meaning: shining; pure) was a woman of the church at Cenchreae (the eastern port of Corinth) who is described by Paul in Romans 16:1–2 as a deaconess (or servant) of the church and a patroness of many, including Paul himself. She was likely the carrier of Paul's letter to the Romans, which would have made her its first public reader to the Roman congregation. Her designation as diakonos (the same word used for male deacons) and as prostatis (patron, benefactor) indicates a woman of some social standing who exercised recognized ministry and financial support of the church.