Philemon the actor
Martyr
Diedc. 303[1]
Alexandria[1]
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
CanonizedPre-congregation
FeastMarch 8
Patronagedancers

The deacon Apollonius and his convert Philemon were Christian martyrs of the Diocletianic Persecution around 303. Philemon was a famous flute player, mime and actor at Antinoöpolis in Egypt.

Narrative

During the persecution, Philemon dons the deacon's clothes so that, disguised as Apollonius, he may offer the required sacrifice to Jupiter in his stead, and the deacon avoids imprisonment and death. However, just before performing the public sacrifice, Philemon is recognized and declares himself a Christian, and refuses to make the sacrifice.[2]

They were brought from Antinoë to Alexandria, and put to death with many others who had become believers in Christ. Their fate was to be bound hand and foot and to be cast into the sea.[3]

Veneration

Their feast day is 8 March. Philemon is the patron saint of dancers.

Legacy

The story formed the subject of Philemon Martyr, a play by Jacob Bidermann. Bidermann presents acting as "a potential route to moral and spiritual transformation".[4][5]

Philemon is a recurring motif in the work of the twentieth-century British artist Albert Houthuesen.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Monks of Ramsgate. "Philemon and Apollonius". Book of Saints 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 29 December 2016 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ↑ Rollason, Nikki. Gifts of Clothing in Late Antique Literature Routledge, 2016, p. 139 ISBN 9781317128205
  3. ↑ Butler, Alban. "Saints Apollonius, Philemon, etc., Martyrs". Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints 1866. CatholicSaints.Info. 29 December 2016 Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ↑ Herdt, Jennifer A., Putting On Virtue: The Legacy of the Splendid Vices University of Chicago Press, 2012, p. 157 ISBN 9780226327198
  5. ↑ Neo-Latin Drama in Early Modern Europe(Jan Bloemendal, Howard Norland, eds.) BRILL, 2013, p. 277 ISBN 9789004257467
  6. ↑ Nathanson, Richard (2008). Walk to the Moon: The Story of Albert Houthuesen. The Putney Press. pp. 64, 171, 239. ISBN 978-0951621929.


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