Martyr
Martyr Apollonius
† ок. 305
Martyr Apollonius — a deacon from the group of Egyptian martyrs (Philemon, Apollonius, Arianus and others) who suffered at Antinoe under Emperor Diocletian; the entry's image is directly inscribed "Holy Martyrs Philemon and Apollonius."
Martyr Apollonius was a deacon in Egypt during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. The governor Arianus was compelling Christians to sacrifice to idols; Apollonius, fearing torture, persuaded his friend — a pagan flute-player named Philemon — to disguise himself in his clothes and offer the sacrifice in his place for payment.
But Philemon, standing before the idol, unexpectedly and loudly confessed himself a Christian and refused to sacrifice; when it was discovered that this was Philemon rather than Apollonius, the governor Arianus ordered both tortured. Philemon's steadfastness and the signs that followed converted the governor Arianus himself, who was baptized and later likewise suffered martyrdom.
Apollonius, together with Philemon, Arianus, and others, was tortured and executed at Antinoe (Egypt) around 305.
His feast is kept on December 14/27.
The entry's image is directly inscribed "Holy Martyrs Philemon and Apollonius," which unambiguously confirms this identification among the many saints named Apollonius.