| Saints Philemon and Apphia | |
|---|---|
| Apostles(Eastern Orthodox) Martyrs(Latin Rite) |
|
| Died | 70 Colossae, Phrygia |
| Honored in | Eastern Orthodox Roman Catholic Church Lutheranism |
| Feast | 22 November (Eastern Orthodox) (Roman Catholic) February 15 (Lutheran) |
Philemon 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] in Colosse, Phrygia.[3]
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.
In the list of the Seventy Apostles, attributed to Dorotheus of Tyre, Philemon is described as bishop of Gaza.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). "Philemon". Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.