The deacon Apollonius and his convert Philemon were Christian martyrs of the Diocletianic Persecution around 303. Philemon was a famous flute player, mime and actor at Antinoöpolis in Egypt.

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Quick Facts Philemon the actor, Martyr ...

Philemon the actor
Martyr
Died	c. 303[1] Alexandria[1]
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Canonized	Pre-congregation
Feast	March 8
Patronage	dancers

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During the persecution, Philemon dons the deacon's clothes so that, disguised as Apollonius, he may offer the required sacrifice to Jupiter in his stead, and the deacon avoids imprisonment and death. However, just before performing the public sacrifice, Philemon is recognized and declares himself a Christian, and refuses to make the sacrifice.^[2]

They were brought from Antinoë to Alexandria, and put to death with many others who had become believers in Christ. Their fate was to be bound hand and foot and to be cast into the sea.^[3]

Their feast day is 8 March. Philemon is the patron saint of dancers.

The story formed the subject of Philemon Martyr, a play by Jacob Bidermann. Bidermann presents acting as "a potential route to moral and spiritual transformation".^[4][5]

Philemon is a recurring motif in the work of the twentieth-century British artist Albert Houthuesen.^[6]