St. Philemon, One Among the Seventy – Nov 22

St. Philemon was disciple of the Apostle Paul, a first century Christian and a recipient of his epistle, one of the books of the New Testament. He was a rich, nobleman, owner of slaves, who lived in Colossae and was distinguished for his preaching and charity work joined by his wife Apphia (Phil :2) relative Archippus (probably son), a soldier of Christ (Phil. :2; Col. 4; 17) and fugitive slave, Onesimus (Phil. :8, 10; Col. 4: 9). Philemon had a Church, that met in his home (Phil.: 2). His house was a place of meeting and worship for the Colossian converts (Phil.: 2); Apostle Philemon, is numbered among the Seventy evangelist sent by Jesus Christ. His name means ‘affectionate’ in Greek, and, from all we know about Philemon, he lived up to his name, recognized for his kindness, hospitality and gracious spirit .

Philemon is addressed in the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul (Phil. :1) that bears his name, a short and personal epistle. Archippus was Bishop of Colossae, (Modern Turkey), ancient city of Phrygia in Asia Minor, located 15 km southeast of Laodicea. All three were disciples of the Apostle Paul. Onesimus was a pagan runaway slave of Philemon, who stole from his master treasury and fled to Rome. There St Paul led him to faith in Christ, and wrote the Epistle to Philemon, with his own hands ( Phil. : 19) urging Onesimus’ master, Philemon to forgive him and take him back as a brother in Christ. Thus, under the covenant of grace, both master and slave have equal standing in the body of Christ This Philemon did. This goes on to show that the standard of Christian justice that is not rooted in punishment and revenge, but by standards of love that are rooted in God’s character. Onesimus later became a bishop of Colossae. (Some sources say Gaza)

Philemon was his dear and intimate friend of St Paul, (Phil.: 1, 13, 17, 22), and clearly had warm and respectful relationship. It seems that he might have been converted most probably by him (Phil.: 19) during his long residence at Ephesus (Acts 19: 26; cf. 18:19). Philemon regularly prayed for Paul and his ministry. He loved the Church and its people. He had a guest room in his home where Paul was welcome to stay. 

It is held that Philemon worked zealously for the spread of the Gospel, perhaps first in Ephesus and later in Colossae. We can conclude that Philemon was truly a holy and devout man, filled with charity, and a great consolation to the Apostle. He seems to have been martyred, together with his wife, son, and former slave, at Colossae during the first general persecution of Nero. During a pagan feast the Church had gathered in his home for prayer. When the pagans learned of it, they raided the home and took St. Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus to be killed. They were whipped, buried up to their waists and then stoned. St. Philemon and Apphia gave up their souls to God. The Church remembers St. Philemon and his fellow martyrs on February 19 and November 22.