Apollonius and Philemon

Apollonius and Philemon are two martyrs remembered on 8 March. Apollonius was an Egyptian hermit, who died a martyr. He is honoured together with Philemon, the prison guard, whom he converted to Christianity and who died a martyr with him.

The prefect of Egypt had him imprisoned at Arsinoe, and there he converted his guard, Philemon. The prefect had both thrown into the sea, around 311. A different tradition, perhaps inspired by the legend of Genesius of Rome or of Ardalion of Alexandria, says that Philemon was an actor, musician and dancer. He had to perform a play that ridiculed the Christians, in the role of the Christian of Arsinoe named Apollonius. During the performance he was converted and announced that he was no longer a pagan but wished to be a Christian and be baptised. The prefect had him arrested and, with Apollonius, he was put to death.