Ermasteus the Philistine disciple
Young fisherman from Philistia of Ashkelon, converted upon hearing John preach.[1] A disciple, he joins Jesus whom he will now follow and is entrusted to John of Endor to be taught.[2] The "well-intentioned" denunciation by Judas at the Temple forces him to undergo circumcision.[3] He is part of the return journey via Gilead that completes the second great apostolic mission and stays in Aëra with Timon.
Apostolic journey
This tireless apostle departs with Joseph of Emmaus, Samuel the former crippled hunchback, and Abel the former leper to evangelize Philistia.[4] He separates from his companions to evangelize Jabneel in Philistia, where he is killed by "someone who did not want people to speak of the Messiah."[5]"He was tireless in announcing the Christ, even after he wished to part from his companion to stay with us. He said that we had more than anyone else the need to know you, O Rabbi, and that he wanted to make you known in his homeland, and that he would have returned to You when he had proclaimed your Name in all the smallest villages.
He lived like a penitent. If by pity someone gave him bread, he would bless them in your name. If stones were thrown at him, he would withdraw while blessing as well, and he would feed on wild fruits and sea mollusks which he would pluck from the rocks or dig from the sand. Many called him "mad," but no one truly hated him."
His name
Probably a Greek name linked to Hermes, the equivalent of Mercury.
Where is he mentioned in the work?
Apostolate in Philistia: EMV 219The conversion of Mary Magdalene: EMV 251 EMV 252 EMV 253 EMV 254 EMV 255
Sending of Apostles and Disciples on Mission: EMV 256 EMV 260 EMV 261 EMV 262 EMV 280
Perea, Gilead and Trachonitis: EMV 282 EMV 284 EMV 285 EMV 286 EMV 287 EMV 290 EMV 292 EMV 293 EMV 294 EMV 295 EMV 296 EMV 297
The journey of the Disciples to Antioch: EMV 316
Phoenicia and Upper Galilee: EMV 338 EMV 344 EMV 346 EMV 347
The Transfiguration and the Bread of Heaven: EMV 348 EMV 349 EMV 350 EMV 352 EMV 354 EMV 376
Plain of Sharon: EMV 404 EMV 405
The summer in Nazareth: EMV 446
In Syro-Phoenicia: EMV 466
The exile in Samaria: EMV 556 EMV 564