Phileas and Philoromus

From De viris illustribus (4th century): Phileas, a resident of that Egyptian city which is called Thmuis, of noble family, and no small wealth, having become bishop, composed a finely written work in praise of martyrs and arguing against the judge who tried to compel him to offer sacrifices, was beheaded for Christ during the same persecution in which Lucianus was put to death at Nicomedia.

Describing the sufferings of his fellow confessors at Alexandria, he says, that every one had full liberty allowed to insult, strike, and beat them with rods, whips, or clubs.

The governor professed a great regard for his quality and merit, and said: “If you were in misery, or necessity, you should be despatched without more ado; but as you have riches and estates sufficient not only for yourself and family, but for the maintenance almost of a whole province, I pity you, and do all in my power to save you.” The counsellors and lawyers, desirous also of saving him, said: “He had already sacrificed in the Phrontisterium (or academy for the exercises of literature.”) Phileas cried out: “I have not by any immolation; but say barely that I have sacrificed, and you will say no more than the truth.” Having been confined there some time, he might perhaps have said mass in that place.

The governor hoping to overcome him by tenderness for them, said:—“See how sorrowful your wife stands with her eyes fixed upon you.” Phileas replied: “Jesus Christ, the Saviour of souls, calls me to his glory: and he can also, if he pleases, call my wife.” The counsellors, out of compassion, said to the judge: “Phileas begs a delay.” Culcian said to him: “I grant it you most willingly, that you may consider what to do.” Phileas replied: “I have considered, and it is my unchangeable resolution to die for Jesus Christ.”[7] Then all the counsellors, the emperor’s lieutenant, who was the first magistrate of the city, all the other officers of justice, and his relations, fell down together at his feet, embracing his knees, and conjuring him to have compassion on his disconsolate family, and not to abandon his children to their tender years whilst his presence was absolutely necessary for them.

[8] But he, like a rock unshaken by the impetuous waves that dash against it, stood unmoved; and raising his heart to God, protested aloud that he owned no other kindred but the apostles and martyrs.

Admiring the prudence and inflexible courage of Phileas, and moved with indignation against his adversaries, he cried out to them: “Why strive ye to overcome this brave man, and to make him, by an impious compliance with men, renounce God?

Do not you see that, contemplating the glory of heaven, he makes no account of earthly things?” This speech drew upon him the indignation of the whole assembly, who in rage demanded that both might be condemned to die.

Far from desiring the reversion of my sentence, I think myself much obliged to the emperors, to you, and to your court, for by your means I become co-heir with Christ, and shall enter this very day into the possession of his kingdom.” Hereupon he was remanded to the place of execution, where having made his prayer aloud, and exhorted the faithful to constancy and perseverance, he was beheaded with Philoromus.

Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History has a long passage of a letter of Phileas to the Christians at Thmuis; which is generally reckoned to be the same that Jerom calls a book in Praise of the Martyrs.

Among these was Philoromus, who bore no ordinary office, but was the emperor's receiver-general at Alexandria; and, as became his high station in the Roman government, daily heard causes, attended by a guard of soldiers.

Phileas, likewise, bishop of the church at Thmuis, who had with reputation discharged all public offices in his own country, and was eminent for his philosophical learning, when many of their kindred and other honourable friends, and some of the magistrates, and even the judge himself advised them to take pity upon themselves, and to consider their wives and children, would not by all their entreaties be induced, out of a regard to their own life, to transgress the divine laws concerning denying and confessing our Saviour; but with a manly and courageous and philosophic mind, or rather with a religious heart truly devoted to God, having withstood all the threatenings and abuses of the judge, they were both beheaded.

Thus then he writes in his epistle to the people at Thmuis:' "All these ensamples and patterns and excellent admonitions being set before us in the divine and sacred scriptures, the blessed martyrs among us, without hesitation fixing the eye of their soul upon God over all, and willingly embracing death for the sake of religion, stedfastly adhered to their calling: knowing that our Lord Jesus Christ became man for our sake, that he might destroy all sin, and afford us helps for obtaining eternal life: For he did not earnestly desire to appear like God, but made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself unto death, even the death of the cross:" Philip.

endured not once only, but some of them often, all kinds of pains and tortures that can be invented; and, though the officers did their utmost by words and deeds to terrify them, they were not disheartened, "because perfect love casteth out fear:" 1 John iv.

'[13] I suppose likewise, that none will dispute my interpretation of that phrase, which in our English translation is rendered, 'thought it not robbery to be equal with God;' for it is here evidently used and understood by Phileas, as expressive of our Lord's humility, not of his dignity and greatness.