Phemion
Credited founder of Najran Christian community
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Phemion (Arabic: فيميون, romanized: Faymiyun) is an individual who is credited with the foundation of the Christian community of Najran. He is described as being a nomad with an ascetic lifestyle who a devoted follower of Christianity.
Biography
Phemion was a man who hailed from the Levant and worked in the Arabian Peninsula as a master bricklayer.[1][2] He would go out to the desert and pray until evening whenever it was a Sunday. He also had a companion named Saleh, whom was deeply close and devoted to him.[1][2] Phemion had the ability to perform working miracles and would leave a village to another one after he had converted a village to Christianity, with Salih following close behind him.[1][2]
Involvement in Najran
Phemion is credited as being one of the first to introduce Christianity in the town of Najran.[3] It is narrated by Wahb ibn Munabbih that Phemion was able to convince the locals to reject South Arabian polytheism and accept Christianity, after a miracle happened where a gust of wind destroyed the palm tree that the inhabitants had deified and worshipped.[1][2] An alternative tale describes Phemion as being a mentor for his disciple Abdullah ibn Thamir, who, this time, is credited as the one to solidify Christianity into Najran.[1][2]
See also
- Abdullah ibn Thamir
- People of the Ditch
- Christian community of Najran