Page "Cyrene, Libya" Paragraph 9

Cyrene is also mentioned in the New Testament.

A Cyrenian named Simon carried the cross of Christ ( Mark 15: 21 and parallels ).

See also Acts 2: 10 where Jews from Cyrene heard the disciples speaking in their own language in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost ; 6: 9 where some Cyrenian Jews disputed with a disciple named Stephen ; 11: 20 tells of Jewish Christians originally from Cyrene who ( along with believers from Cyprus ) first preached the Gospel to non-Jews ; 13: 1 names Lucius of Cyrene as one of several to whom the Holy Spirit spoke, instructing them to appoint Barnabas and Saul ( later Paul ) for missionary service.