In apostolic times, in the Phrygian city of Colossae, there lived a Christian of noble birth named Philemon, who later became a bishop and was included among the seventy Holy Apostles. He had a slave named Onesimus, who, having committed an offense, ran away to Rome, where he met Saint Apostle Paul. Hearing the preaching, Onesimus was baptized and began to serve the Apostle Paul along with Tychicus. The Apostle, sending Tychicus to the Colossians, sent Onesimus with him and wrote to Philemon, asking him to forgive Onesimus and accept him as a son. Philemon gladly accepted Onesimus and granted him freedom, sending him back to Paul.
Saint Onesimus served the Apostles until their death, then preached in various cities, including Spain, Corinth, and Colossae, and took the throne in Ephesus after Saint Timothy. Saint Ignatius the Godbearer mentions him as the Bishop of Ephesus. Being an elder, Onesimus was captured by unbelievers and brought to Rome, where he was interrogated by the prefect Tertullus. Onesimus confessed his faith and refused to worship idols, for which he was imprisoned.
After 18 days in captivity, where he continued to preach, Onesimus was sent into exile in Puteoli, but he continued to confess Christ. The prefect, learning of this, ordered him to be cruelly tortured, and eventually, Onesimus was beheaded. His body was taken by a certain woman of royal descent and placed in a silver coffin, where she commemorated the martyr. Saint Onesimus became known for his sufferings and prayers, and his memory is honored in the Church.
