Phébé

Phoebe was a deacon (Greek: diakonos) of the church at Cenchreae, the eastern port of Corinth, and a patron (Greek: prostatis) of Paul and many others in the early Christian community (Romans 16:1–2). Paul commends her to the Roman church and requests that they assist her in whatever she needs, suggesting she was the letter-carrier who delivered Paul's letter to Rome. Her designation as deacon and patron makes her one of the most clearly attested female leaders in the New Testament, and her role has figured prominently in discussions of women's ministry in early Christianity.