Apfia Kolosskaya ( Appia , Greek. Άπφία ; d. Between 62 and 68 years ) - an early Christian martyr , venerated in the guise of equal apostles . Memory is celebrated in the Orthodox Church on February 19 ( March 3 ) in a leap year or February 19 ( March 4 ) in non-leap years, November 22 ( December 5 ), in the Catholic Church on November 22 .
| Apfia Kolosskaya | |
|---|---|
| Greek Άπφία | |
 Holy Apostle Philemon and his wife Apthia | |
| Name in the world | Apfia |
| Birth | |
| Death | between 62 and 68 years old Colossus |
| In the face | equally apostolic |
| Day of Remembrance | in the Orthodox Church on February 19 ( March 3 ) during the leap year or February 19 ( March 4 ) during the non-leap years, November 22 ( December 5 ) in the Catholic Church on November 22 |
Apfia is mentioned in the Epistle of Paul to Philemon : “Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy the brother, Beloved lover and co-worker, and Apphia, beloved sister, and Archippus, our companion, and your home church” ( Fl. 1: 1-2 ). Based on this reference, John Chrysostom suggests that Apthia was the wife of the apostle Philemon , this opinion has become part of the church tradition [1] .
According to the life written by Dimitry of Rostov at the end of the 17th century, Apfia and her husband lived in Colossus (Asia Minor), where, having built a church in her house, she worked diligently day and night to the Lord, laboring in prayer and fasting; she joyfully accepted and gave shelter to those who labored, preaching the doctrine of Christ; she delivered food to the poor, the wretched, and the wanderers, so her house was not only a church, but also a stranger, a hospital and a haven for all who had no place to rest and calm down [2] .
She accepted martyrdom with her husband during the reign of Emperor Nero ( 54 - 68 years ). During the celebration in honor of the Hellenic goddess Artemis, a crowd of citizens captured in the church of Filimon with Apfia, as well as the head of the local Christian community Archippus . For refusing to take part in pagan celebrations, Arkipp was cut up with knives and died on the spot. Mayor Artoklis sentenced Philemon and Apfia to lapidation (stoning to death) [3] . Archippus and Philemon are canonized as holy apostles , Apthia is canonized.
Notes
- ↑ John Chrysostom. Conversations on the Epistle to Philemon
- ↑ Dimitry of Rostov . Lives of the Saints (February 19)
- ↑ Memory of the holy apostles Archippos, Philemon and Apthia
Links
- Apfia // Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary : in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - SPb. , 1890-1907.