Day: November 22, 2023

Saints of the Day – 22 November – Saint Philemon + (1st Century) Lay Martyr, Disciple of St Paul, his wife, Saint Appia (also known as Apphias, Affia, Apphia) and their son, Archippus. Many scholars believe that Pilemon was a Bishop or the Archbishop of Colossae.

The Roman Martyrology reads: “At Colossae, in Phrygia, during the reign of Nero, Saints Philemon and Apphias, disciples of St Paul. When the Christians ran to the Church for protection on a pagan feast, they were arrested and, by the command of the Governor, Artocles, were scourged, let down into a pit up to their waists and overwhelmed with stones.”

Philemon of Colossae in Phrygia, was a disciple of St Paul. To him, the Apostle wrote the shortest of his Epistles, one of the four which he sent from Roman captivity (Eph, Phil, Col, Philem).

He was a wealthy Colossian, owner of buildings and slaves. Since St Paul had not been to Colossae, Philemon must have met him in Ephesus (cf Acts 19, 10-11), or during a tour through the interior of the Province of Asia (Acts 19, 26; I Cor. 16, 19). Philemon was converted and Baptised by St Paul together with his followers, probably during his long Ephesian labours between 54 and 57. (Philem. 19: “thou owe thyself to me too”).

Appia, from the beginning of the St Paul’s letter, is placed by him alongside Philemon “beloved brother” and greeted as “sister beloved”as found in the Vulgate or “dearest” in translation to English. St John Chrysostom, Theodoret and others following them, held, with good reason, that Apphia was the wife of Philemon. She certainly belonged, to his family, as did Archippus, named last among the three recipients of the letter (ibid. 1-2) who formed a family group very dear to Paul. Archippus must have been the son of Philemon and Appia. Their friendly house was at the Apostle’s disposal (ibid. 22). The three, together with their converted slave, Onesimus, who is the object, and (with Tychicus), bearer of the Epistle to Philemon, are commemorated in the Latin Martyrologies, on 22 November. All four wouldhave bene Martyred together at Colossae.

Epistle of St Paul to Philemon

He commends the faith and charity of Philemon and sends back to him, his fugitive servant, whom he had converted in prison.

“1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus and Timothy, a brother, to Philemon, our beloved and fellow labourer. 2 And to Appia, our dearest sister and to Archippus, our fellow soldier and to the church which is in thy house, 3 grace to thee and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God, always making a remembrance of thee in my prayers. 5 Hearing of thy charity and faith, which thou hast in the Lord Jesus and towards all the saints 6 That the communication of thy faith may be made evident, in the acknowledgment of every good work that is, in thee in Christ Jesus.

7 For I have had great joy and consolation in thy charity because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee, brother. 8 Wherefore, though I have much confidence in Christ Jesus, to command thee that which is to the purpose, 9 for charity’s sake I rather beseech, whereas thou art such a one, as Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also of Jesus Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son, whom I have begotten in my bands, Onesimus,
11 Who hath been, heretofore, unprofitable to thee but now, is profitable, both to me and thee, 12 whom I have sent back to thee. And do thou receive him as my own bowels. 13 Whom I would have retained with me that, in thy stead, he might have ministered to me, in the bands of the gospel 14 But, without thy counsel, I would do nothing that thy good deed, might not be, as it were of necessity but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he, therefore, departed for a season from thee that thou, mightest receive him again forever, 16 Not now as a servant but, instead of a servant, a most dear brother, especially to me but how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord?

17 If, therefore, thou count me a partner, receive him as myself. 18 And if he hath wronged thee in anything, or is in thy debt, put that to my account. 19 I Paul,have written it with my own hand, I will repay it, not to say to thee that thou owest me thy own self also. 20 Yea, brother. May I enjoy thee in the Lord. Refresh my bowels in the Lord.

21 Trusting in thy obedience, I have w,ritten to thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal, prepare me also a lodging. For I hope that through thy prayers, I shall be given unto thee. 23 There, salute thee Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesu,; 24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow labourers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Amen.”

Tradition tells us that all St Paul’s wishes in regard to St Onesius were joyfully carried out by our Saint Philemon.