E00226: The Greek Martyrdom of *Apollonios of Rome (martyr of Rome, S00106), of the late 2nd c., is reworked as the Martyrdom of the Apostle *Apollos, also called Sakkeas (Jewish convert and missionary in Ephesus, S00107), presenting Apollos as a martyr dying in Asia. Written in Greek, probably in the province of Asia (western Asia Minor), during Late Antiquity.
Creators: name: Pnowakowski
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2014
Subjects: History

description: Martyrdom of Apollos, also called Sakkeas (BHG 149)<br><br>Μαρτύριον τοῦ Ἁγίου καὶ πανευφήμου Ἀποστόλου Ἀπολλώ τοῦ καὶ Σακκέα<br>Κύριε εὐλόγησον.<br>Ἐπὶ Κομόδου βασιλέως γεναμένου διωγμοῦ κατὰ τῶν Χριστιανῶν, Περέννιός τις ἦν ἀνθύπατος τῆς Ἀσίας. Ἀπολλὼς δὲ ὁ ἀπόστολος, ἀνὴρ ὢν εὐλαβής, Ἀλεξανδρεὺς τῷ γένει, φοβούμενος τὸν κύριον, συλληφθεὶς προσήχθη.<br><br>'Martyrdom of the Holy and most illustrious Apostle Apollos, also called Sakkeas<br>Master, give a blessing.<br>When a persecution against the Christians took place under the emperor Commodus, a certain Perennios was proconsul of Asia. The Apostle Apollos, a pious man, Alexandrian by birth, fearing the Lord, was arrested and brought to court.'<br><br>1-10. Perennios asks Apollos if he is a Christian, which he accepts. He then asks Apollos to repent and to take an oath by the Genius of the emperor. Apollos replies with an apologia on the meaning of repentance and oath taking for Christians. Repentance from a righteous life is insane, while oath taking is forbidden to Christians who are expected always to speak truthfully. Perennios then asks him to sacrifice, and Apollos replies with an apologia about the meaning of sacrifice for Christians. Perennios gives him one day to reconsider and change his mind. <br><br>11-23. Three days later, Apollos is brought back to interrogation and is asked by Perennios if he has changed his mind, which he has not. Perennios asks of him to venerate the gods, according to the senatorial decree, in order to save his life. There follows a lengthy speech against the veneration of idols and the folly of various forms of idolatry. <br><br>24-28. Perennios insists that the senatorial decree does not allow Christians to live. Apollos replies with a speech on the superiority of the divine over human law, on the Christian notion of living in God and dying for God; Christians experience death every day, as they mortify themselves through abstinence of carnal pleasures. <br><br>29-34. Perennios then asks if he is willing to die, to which Apollos replies that he is not afraid of dying, because the most important thing is eternal life. Perennios admits that he does not understand, to which Apollos replies that understanding these things requires a (spiritually) seeing heart. A Cynic intervenes, reprimanding Apollos for his seemingly subtle but illogical talk. Apollos returns the remark. <br><br>35-42. Perennios states that the pagans also accept that the word of god is the creator of the soul and body of the righteous. Apollos now replies that this word is Jesus Christ, and he gives a brief exposition of the righteous life taught by him. Christ was nevertheless killed by ignorant men, just like Socrates and the prophets. <br><br>43-46. Perennios states that he would prefer to release Apollos, but the law of the emperor does not permit that. He orders the martyr’s legs to be broken, while Apollos gives thanks to God for Perennios’ decision to have him killed.<br><br><br>47a. Τοιοῦτον τέλος ἔνδοξον μαρτυρίου νηφούσῃ ψυχῇ καὶ προθύμῳ καρδίᾳ ἐνήρξατο ὁ ἁγιώτατος ἀθλοφόρος οὗτος ὁ καὶ Σακκέας. ἡ δὲ κυρία τῶν ἡμερῶν καθ’ ἣν παλαίσας τῷ πονηρῷ τὸ βραβεῖον τῆς νίκης ἐκομίσατο σήμερον ἐνέστηκεν. δεῦρο τοίνυν τοῖς ἐκείνου καλοῖς ἀνδραγαθήμασιν, ἀδελφοί, τὴν ἑαυτῶν ψυχὴν εἰς πίστιν ἐπιρρώσαντες ἐραστὰς ἑαυτοὺς τῆς τοιαύτης χάριτος καταστήσωμεν δι’ ἐλέους καὶ χάριτος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, μεθ’ οὗ τῷ θεῷ καὶ πατρὶ σὺν ἁγίῳ πνεύματι δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. ἀμήν. <br><br>47b. Ἐμαρτύρησεν ὁ τρισμακαριώτατος Ἀπολλὼς ὁ καὶ Σακκέας πρὸ ἕνδεκα καλανδῶν Μαΐου κατὰ Ῥωμαίους, κατὰ δὲ Ἀσιανοὺς μηνὸς ὀγδόου, κατὰ δὲ ἡμᾶς βασιλεύοντος τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας.<br><br>'47a. Such a glorious end of a martyrdom did this most holy victor (who is also known as Sakkeas) endure, with a sober spirit and willing heart. The great day on which he fought the Evil One and obtained the prize of victory is today. So, by his handsome feats, let us, brethren, strengthen our souls in the faith and make of ourselves lovers of such a grace, by the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ, with whom glory and the power be to God the Father with the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. <br><br>47b. The thrice-blessed Apollos, also called Sakkeas, was martyred eleven days before the calends of May, according to the Roman calendar, and in the eighth month, according to the Asian one. According to us, during the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever.’<br><br><br>Text: Musurillo 1972. Translation and summary: E. Rizos.