St Onesimus

Onesimus was the slave of a man named Philemon. He stole from his master and ran away, going to Rome. In Rome, he met Paul the Apostle who taught him about Jesus and baptized Philemon. Paul helped Onesimus to see that he was wrong to have stolen from his master Philemon. He encouraged Onesimus to return to his master and ask for forgiveness. Paul was also friends with Philemon so he sent a letter with Onesimus asking Philemon to forgive his servant and to accept him as a brother in Christ Jesus. This letter is found in the New Testament of the Bible; the Epistle to Philemon. Philemon did forgive Onesimus and he gave him his freedom. Onesimus went back to Rome to become a priest and later a Bishop of the Church. He is remembered for how passionately he preached the teaching of Jesus to others.