Saints Philemon and Apphia

Life story

Both names appear in the Letter to Philemon, the shortest letter Paul left behind. Paul calls Philemon a dear fellow worker and praises his love and his help to the saints. The letter is also addressed to Apphia and Archippus, whom Paul calls a fellow soldier, and to the church meeting in the house. It does not say how Apphia was related to Philemon; the idea that she was his wife is tradition. He probably lived in Colossae, since the Letter to the Colossians describes Onesimus as one of that city's people.

The letter concerns Onesimus, Philemon's slave, who left his master and met Paul in prison. Paul sent him back and asked Philemon to welcome him as a brother. Paul also asked Philemon to prepare a guest room, hoping to be released soon. The result of the request is not recorded.

The rest is tradition. Later tradition, preserved in Greek liturgical books, says that under the emperor Nero, Philemon and Apphia were arrested at Colossae when Christians gathered during a pagan festival. These details lie outside Scripture and cannot be verified; the shared feast is 22 November.

Works and witness

• Received the Letter to Philemon, Paul's shortest letter
• Hosted a house church, as the letter indicates
• Master of the slave Onesimus, asked to receive him as a brother
• Apphia is named in the letter; tradition makes her his wife
• By tradition, both were martyred at Colossae under Nero

Saints from the same country

Saint Paul, Saint Luke, Saint George, Saint Nicholas

References

• New Testament – Letter to Philemon
• New Testament – Letter to the Colossians
• Martyrologium Romanum

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.