Apostle Arkhip, Philemon, and Apphia
February 19/March 4
The Holy Apostles from the Seventy: Archip, Philemon, and Apphia (second commemoration on November 22) were disciples and fellow workers of the holy Apostle Paul. In the letter to Philemon, the Apostle names Saint Archip his fellow soldier.
Apostle Archip was the bishop of the city of Colossae in Phrygia. Apostle Philemon was a distinguished citizen of the same city, and Christians gathered in his house to perform the Divine Service. He was also ordained as a bishop by Apostle Paul and traveled around Phrygian cities, preaching the Gospel. Subsequently, he became the archpastor of the city of Gaza. Saint Apphia, his wife, welcomed travelers and the sick into her home, serving them diligently. She was a faithful co-worker of her husband in proclaiming the Word of God.
During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Nero (54 - 68), the holy Apostles Archip, Philemon, and the equal-to-the-apostles Apphia were brought to trial before the governor Artocles for preaching the faith in Christ. Apostle Archip was brutally slashed with knives. After torturing Philemon and Apphia, they were buried up to their waists in the ground and beaten with stones until the holy martyrs perished.