Onesiphorus
Saint Onesiphorus | |
|---|---|
Christian Martyrdom |
Onesiphorus (
St. Paul, Onesiphorus sought out Paul who was imprisoned at the time in Rome
.
Life
According to Orthodox tradition, Saint Onesiphorus was one of the
Twelve Apostles (Luke 10:1-24).[1] St Onesiphorus was bishop at Colophon (Asia Minor), and later at Corinth. Both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches hold that he died a martyr in the city of Parium (not far from Ephesus) on the shores of the Hellespont.[2]
2 Timothy
The persecution of Christians during
2 Timothy 1:16-18, Paul sends a greeting to the man’s household in Ephesus and refers to the help he showed Paul earlier in Ephesus. Timothy, who led the Ephesian church is familiar with these acts.[5]
Paul's praise of Onesiphorus is significant because it was written shortly before Paul's death as a final encouragement to Timothy.
But now, at the time of correspondence, only "Luke alone is with (Paul)" (4:11). Because Paul speaks of Onesiphorus only in the past tense, wishes blessings upon his house (family), and mercy for him "in that
prayer for the dead,[6] while some Protestants opposing this practice reject such an interpretation.[7]
Remarkably, Onesiphorus made a 1000-mile journey, over three large bodies of water from one continent to another (from Ephesus (today: Turkey) to Rome (today: Italy)) — to specifically search for and find Paul in prison, so as to comfort him.
He is commemorated on September 6 in Roman Catholic Church,[8] and September 7 in Orthodox Church.[9]
He should not be confused with the
Diocletian persecution
, and is commemorated on November 9.
References
- ^ ""Lives of all commemorated on December 8", Orthodox Church in America". Oca.org. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ^ "Vailhé, Siméon. "Parium." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 11. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 27 Mar. 2013". Newadvent.org. 1911-02-01. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ^ "Homework Help and Textbook Solutions | bartleby". www.bartleby.com.
- ^ "...for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain" 2 Tim 1:16
- ^ a b "Rutherford, John. "Onesiphorus", The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". Searchgodsword.org. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ^ "Toner, Patrick. "Prayers for the Dead." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. 27 Mar. 2013". Newadvent.org. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ^ "Did Paul Pray for the Dead?". ChristianCourier.com. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ^ St. Onesiphorus, Catholic Online, retrieved 2016-07-01
- ^ "Apostle Onesiphorus of the Seventy, Orthodox Church in America". Oca.org. Retrieved 2013-09-03.