07 works, Today, November 22nd, is Philemon, Apphia and Onesimus' day, their story, illustrated #325

Unknown artist

Apostle Archippus

I have no further description, at this time

The Holy Apostles of the Seventy Philemon and his wife Apphia lived in the city of Colossa, a city of Phrygia in Asia Minor, was a man both wealthy and noble. After they were baptized by the holy Apostle Paul, they converted their house into a house of prayer, where all those who believed in Christ gathered and attended services. They devoted themselves to serving the sick and downcast.

Unknown artist

Saints Philemon, Apphia and Onesimus

I have no further description, at this time

Saint Philemon became bishop of the city of Gaza, and he preached the Word of God throughout Phrygia. 

Eustache Le Sueur, (1616–1655)

The Preaching of St Paul at Ephesus, c. 1649

Oil on canvas

Height: 394 cm (12.9 ft); Width: 328 cm (10.7 ft) 

Louvre Museum, Paris

Eustache Le Sueur, Le Sueur also spelled Lesueur, (baptized Nov. 19, 1617, Paris, France—died April 30, 1655, Paris), painter known for his religious pictures in the style of the French classical Baroque. Le Sueur was one of the founders and first professors of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture.

Le Sueur studied under the painter Simon Vouet and was admitted at an early age into the guild of master painters. Some paintings reproduced in tapestry brought him notice, and his reputation was further enhanced by a series of decorations for the Hôtel Lambert that he left uncompleted. He painted many pictures for churches and convents, among the most important being The Sermon of Saint Paul at Ephesus, and his famous series of 22 paintings of the Life of St. Bruno, executed in the cloister of the Chartreux. More on Eustache Le Sueur

The holy Apostle Paul continued to be his guide, and addressed to him his Epistle filled with love, and in which he sends blessings “to Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellow laborer, and to our beloved Apphia, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in thy house”.

Unknown artist

Paul sent Onesimus on his way with a letter addressed to Philemon

I have no further description, at this time

Unknown artist

Philemon receiving Onesimus

I have no further description, at this time

Onesimus was a pagan slave of Philemon, who stole from his master and fled to Rome. There St Paul led him to faith in Christ, and wrote the Epistle to Philemon, urging Onesimus' master to forgive him and take him back as a brother in Christ. This Philemon did, and Onesimus later became a bishop. In Greece he is venerated as the patron Saint of the imprisoned. 

Saints Philemon and Apphia, and also Saint Archippus all received the crown of martyrdom during the persecution of Nero (54-68). During a pagan festival an enraged crowd rushed into the Christian church when services were going on. 

Unknown artist

Apfia suffered martyrdom during the anti-Christian persecutions initiated by Emperor Nero 
I have no further description, at this time

Unknown artist

The crowd beat and stabbed Saint Archippus with knives
I have no further description, at this time

All fled in terror, and only Saints Philemon, Archippus and Apphia remained. They seized them and led them off to the city prefect. The crowd beat and stabbed Saint Archippus with knives, and he died on the way to the court. Philemon and Apphia were buried in the ground up to the waist and beaten with stones until the holy martyrs died. More on Philemon, Apphia and Onesimus

Please visit my other blogs: Art Collector, Mythology, Marine Art, Portrait of a Lady, The Orientalist, Art of the Nude and The Canals of Venice, Middle East Artists, and 365 Saints, also visit my Boards on Pinterest

Images are copyright of their respective owners, assignees or others. Some Images may be subject to copyright

I don't own any of these images - credit is always given when due unless it is unknown to me. if I post your images without your permission, please tell me.

I do not sell art, art prints, framed posters or reproductions. Ads are shown only to compensate the hosting expenses.

If you enjoyed this post, please share with friends and family.

Thank you for visiting my blog and also for liking its posts and pages.

Please note that the content of this post primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online.