Saint Onesimus was a slave of Philemon, an influential man who had been converted to Christianity by Saint Paul. After committing an offense against his master, Onesimus fled to escape punishment. In the course of his journey he encountered Saint Paul, who was then imprisoned in Rome. Through Paul’s guidance, Onesimus embraced the faith and was baptized.
Saint Paul later wrote to Philemon on Onesimus’ behalf, asking that he be received with mercy and granted his freedom so that he might assist in missionary work. This appeal is preserved in the Epistle to Philemon, where Paul urges that Onesimus be welcomed “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother.”
Philemon forgave him, and Onesimus returned and faithfully served Saint Paul. Paul entrusted him, together with Tychicus, to carry the Epistle to the Colossians.
According to Saint Jerome and other early Church Fathers, Onesimus later became a devoted preacher of the Gospel and succeeded Saint Timothy as bishop of Ephesus.
He eventually suffered martyrdom in Rome. A governor angered by his preaching, especially on the merit of celibacy, subjected him to cruel torture for eighteen days. His legs and thighs were shattered with clubs, and he was finally stoned to death.
His martyrdom took place during the reign of Emperor Domitian around the year 90.