Philemon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Equal to the Apostles (Eastern Orthodox) Martyr (Latin Church) | |
| Died | AD 68 Colossae,Asia,Roman Empire |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church Lutheranism |
| Feast | 22 November (Eastern Orthodox and Latin Catholic) February 15 (Lutheran) |
Philemon (/fɪˈliːmən,faɪ-/;Ancient Greek:Φιλήμων,Philḗmōn) was an early Christian inAsia Minor who was the recipient of a private letter fromPaul of Tarsus which forms part of the ChristianNew Testament. This letter is known asEpistle to Philemon, although it is addressed "to Philemon, our dear friend and fellow worker, also toApphia our sister (possibly Philemon's wife) andArchippus our fellow soldier, and to thechurch that meets in your home".[1] Paul asks Philemon to "take back"Onesimus,[2] who may previously have been hisslave.[3]
Philemon is known as a saint by several Christian churches along with Apphia (or Appia),[4] seen as his wife.[5] Philemon was a wealthy Christian and a minister (possibly abishop).[6]
TheMenaia of 22 November speak of Philemon as a holy apostle who, in company with Apphia, Archippus, and Onesimus, had been martyred atColossae during the first general persecution in the reign ofNero.[5] In the list of theSeventy Apostles, attributed toDorotheus of Tyre, Philemon is described as bishop ofGaza.
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Philemon".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.