Philemon (biblical figure)
Saints Philemon and Apphia | |
|---|---|
| Apostles (Eastern Orthodox) Martyrs (Latin Rite) | |
| Died | 68 Colossae, Phrygia |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Roman Catholic Church Lutheranism |
| Feast | 22 November (Eastern Orthodox) (Roman Catholic) February 15 (Lutheran) |
Philemon (/fɪˈliːmən, faɪ-/; Greek: Φιλήμων; Philḗmōn) was an early Christian in Asia Minor who was the recipient of a private letter from Paul of Tarsus. This letter is known as Epistle to Philemon in the New Testament. He is known as a saint by several Christian churches along with his wife Apphia. Philemon was a wealthy Christian and a minister (possibly a bishop[1]) of the house church that met in his home.[2]
The Menaia of 22 November speak of Philemon as a holy apostle who, in company with Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus had been martyred at Colossae during the first general persecution in the reign of Nero.[3] In the list of the Seventy Apostles, attributed to Dorotheus of Tyre, Philemon is described as bishop of Gaza.
Notes
- ^ Const. Apost., VI, 46
- ^ Philemon 1:1–2
- ^
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Philemon". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
