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 "somebody who did not want the Messiah to be preached."[5]"He was untiring in preaching the Christ, also after he decided to part from his companion to stay with us. He said that we are in greater need than anybody else to know You, Rabbi, and that he wanted to make You known to his fatherland; and that he would go back to You after he had announced your name publicly in all the smallest villages. He lived like a penitent. If some pitiful people gave him some bread he blessed them in Your name. If they threw stones at him, he would withdraw blessing them just the same and he fed on wild fruit or on sea mollusks that he picked off reefs or he dug in the sand. Many said that he was “mad”. But nobody really hated him."[5]
His name
Probably a Greek name linked to Hermes, the equivalent of Mercury.
Where is he mentioned in the work?
Apostolate in Philistia: GRM 219The conversion of Mary Magdalene: GRM 251 GRM 252 GRM 253 GRM 254 GRM 255
Sending of apostles and disciples on Mission: GRM 256 GRM 260 GRM 261 GRM 262 GRM 280
Perea, Gilead and Trachonitis: GRM 282 GRM 284 GRM 285 GRM 286 GRM 287 GRM 290 GRM 292 GRM 293 GRM 294 GRM 295 GRM 296 GRM 297
The journey of the disciples to Antioch: GRM 316
Phoenicia and Upper Galilee: GRM 338 GRM 344 GRM 346 GRM 347
The Transfiguration and the Bread of Heaven: GRM 348 GRM 349 GRM 350 GRM 352 GRM 354 GRM 376
Plain of Sharon: GRM 404 GRM 405
The summer in Nazareth: GRM 446
In Syro-Phoenicia: GRM 466
The exile in Samaria: GRM 556 GRM 564