Ulrich Huttner

Early Christianity in the Lycus Valley

With Early Christianity in the Lycus Valley Ulrich Huttner offers a microstudy of Christian history in southwestern Asia Minor (first to fifth century C.E.).

Persecution and Legends

The archaeological evidence in Hierapolis shows vividly that Philip was venerated by numerous devotees and that his cult enjoyed a monumental architectural setting. In contrast to the account of Pauls disciples Archippus, Philemon, and Apphia, the account of Philips martyrdom was reflected in an active devotional cult, which provided an adequate Sitz im Leben for the legend. Nevertheless the text from the Acts of Philip cannot be used as evidence of an actual persecution of Christians or repressive measures against them in the Lycus Valley under Trajan. The martyrdom of Sagaris reminds us of the existential peril Christians faced when they confessed their faith. Sagaris was documented earlier in the church history of Eusebius; his absence from the martyrologies is also vexing. Repressive measures taken against Christians also claimed their victims in the Lycus Valley, the most prominent initially being.Keywords: Archippus; Bishop Sagaris; Christian community; Hierapolis; Laodicea; Lycus Valley; Pauls disciples; Philemon; Philips martyrdom

Institutionalization: Clerical Offices, Synods, and Councils

The Council of Nicea was beyond doubt a logistical feat that owed its success not only to the transportational support and organizational machinery of the imperial authorities but also to the tight structure of the clergy and the intact channels of communication that had developed into a tightly woven network since the early years of Christianity. Increasing institutionalization beginning in the 2nd century offered the churches of the Lycus Valley a basis for participating in the structures of the universal church. The bishops traveled to synods and councils; the surviving Acta provide some highlights: Ancyra, Nicea, Ephesus, and Chalcedon. At any rate, the metropolitan of Laodicea was an important enough figure to invite to a synod towards 380 involving colleagues from the entire diocese of Asia, which earned great respect in the course of efforts to give fixed and stable form to ecclesiastical law.Keywords: Christianity; council of Nicea; ecclesiastical law; institutionalization; Laodicea; Lycus Valley

Pauline Influence: Philemon and Colossians

It is generally assumed that two epistles of the Pauline corpus were addressed to Colossae, namely the Epistle to Philemon and the Epistle to the Colossians. The church in Colossae is mentioned (alongside Laodicea and Hierapolis) only in Colossians; there is no place name in Philemon, but the epistle mentions a whole series of people who also appear in Colossians. Defining the historical relationship of the Epistle to Philemon and the Epistle to the Colossians raises a host of substantial problem, involving external factors like chronology and the identity of the correspondents as well as the content and purpose of the texts. In his epistle, Paul wants not only to gain Philemons support for Onesimus but also to suggest a new area of responsibility for the latter: Onesimus is to be employed in service to the gospel under the aegis of Paul.Keywords: Epistle to Philemon; Epistle to the Colossians; Hierapolis; Laodicea; Lycus Valley; Onesimus; Pauline corpus