Holy Apostle Onesimus

Life

Onesimus was one of the Seventy. He was a slave of Philemon, a wealthy and distinguished man in the city of Colossae in Phrygia, but he wronged his master in something and fled to Rome where he heard the Gospel from the Apostle Paul and was baptized. And since the Apostle Paul had earlier brought Philemon also to the true faith, he reconciled these two, Philemon and Onesimus, master and slave, having written a special epistle to Philemon, one of the most touching written compositions that exist at all in Holy Scripture. "I beseech thee," writes the Apostle to Philemon, "for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds... For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved..." (Philemon 1:10 and 15-16). Moved by this letter, Philemon indeed received Onesimus as a brother, freeing him from slavery. Later Onesimus was appointed bishop by the Apostles themselves and received the see of Ephesus after the death of the Apostle Timothy. This is evident from the epistle of Ignatius the God-bearer. During Trajan's persecution Onesimus, already an old man, was arrested and brought to Rome. There he answered before Judge Tertullus, was imprisoned and finally beheaded. His body was taken by a certain wealthy woman, placed in a silver casket and honorably buried in the year 109.

From the Hymn of Praise

Most glorious Onesimus began life as a slave,As Christ's apostle and martyr he ended it.Lawless Tertullus asks him for his name."Christian is my name, Onesimus my surname."