Eastern Rite - Feasts of 19 February AM 7532

Today is the Feast of the Holy Apostles Archippus and Philemon of the Seventy, and Martyr Apphia, St Philemon's wife.

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Saints Archippus, Philemon and Apphia, Apostles of the Seventy were students and companions of the holy Apostle Paul. In the Epistle to Philemon, the Apostle Paul names Saint Archippus as his companion, and mentions him again in the Epistle to the Colossians (Col. 4:17).

Saint Archippus was the Bishop of the city of Colossae in Phrygia. Saint Philemon was an eminent citizen of this city, and the Christians gathered in his home to celebrate church services. He was also made a Bishop by Saint Paul and he went about the cities of Phrygia, preaching the Gospel. Later on, he became archpastor of the city of Gaza. Saint Apphia, his wife, took the sick and vagrants into her home, zealously attending to them. She was her husband’s co-worker in proclaiming the Word of God.

During the persecution against Christians under the emperor Nero (54-68), the holy Apostles Archippus and Philemon and Apphia were brought to trial by the ruler Artocles for confessing faith in Christ. Saint Archippus was brutally slashed with knives. After torture, they buried Saints Philemon and Apphia up to the waist in the ground and stoned them until they died.

Saint Archippus is also commemorated on November 22.

Troparion — Tone 3

With your whole heart, you followed the way of holiness / and became a companion of the Apostles, O Archippus. / By your word you preached the Faith, / and by your life you uprooted evil. / Having proved steadfast in the contest you were granted the crown of righteousness.

Kontakion — Tone 4

The Church has gained you as a great star, O Archippus, / and enlightened by the rays of your wonders it cries out to you: / “Save us, who with faith honour your me