Anti-Hypocrite and Martyr: St. Philemon the Actor

Anti-Hypocrite and Martyr

Anti-Hypocrite and Martyr? Well, it’s not a formal title, but “anti-hypocrite” precisely describes St. Philemon, as we’ll see in a moment. But first, every day of the year the Liturgical Calendar offers us the stories of a number of inspiring and fascinating saints.  If this coming March 8th weren’t the 3rd Sunday of Lent, the primary saint would be St. John of God. He was a man who led an amazingly varied life. He was, in turn, a shepherd, soldier, servant, laborer, book seller, and the founder of a hospital.  Under the many “identities” he took on over his lifetime, however, there was always the same loving soul who was always ready to sacrifice himself for the good of others.  He died as a result of trying to save a boy from drowning.

Another of Sunday’s saints is the intriguingly named St. Philemon the Actor. He also took on a number of identities, but it was purely professional. Philemon lived in Egypt at the beginning of the fourth century and, as his name suggests, he was an actor and performer.  In the ancient world actors such as Philemon used to wear masks. The Lord, however, can see through any act. There are no masks before the throne of God.

Put to the Test

Now, one of Philemon’s fellow performers was a Christian named Apollonius, who, according to some reports, was also a deacon. During the reign of the Emperor Diocletian, one of the Romans’ favorite methods of flushing out Christians was to force them to sacrifice to the pagan gods, and receive a legal document to that effect. The idea was either to force followers of Christ into apostasy, or to compel them to reveal themselves to the authorities who could then put them to death.  

Apollonius seems to have lost his nerve when put to this test, and asked Philemon to obtain a certificate saying that both of them had sacrificed to the pagan gods.  Philemon instead professed his Christian faith and was executed.  Apollonius, shamed by his friend’s bold faith, also accepted the death of a martyr, and became known as St. Apollonius.

     

Hope in the Lord

St. Philemon’s story has some uniquely ironic twists.  Apollonius expected the actor to put on a show on his behalf. Philemon Instead took off his mask, since what was needed was the truth.  Also, our word “hypocrite” comes from the Greek word ὑποκριτής, which means “actor.”  It was because Philemon refused to play the actor that he revealed to Apollonius his own hypocrisy. In doing so, Philemon saved both his own soul and that of his friend. As Jesus says, “the Truth will set you free” (John 8:32). St. Philemon has something to teach us as well. His story is a reminder that we won’t be saved in the end by relying on our own talents or cleverness, but by putting our hope in Christ.

Featured image top of page: actors’ masks from a mosaic in the villa of the Emperor Hadrian.