Phemion

Phemion 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. 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. 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.

Involvement in Najran

Phemion is credited as being one of the first to introduce Christianity in the town of Najran. 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. 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.