St. Philipthe Apostle

No sooner had he believed than he longed to share the treasure he had found. He went to Nathanael and told him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." When Nathanael wondered whether any good thing could come out of Nazareth, Philip did not argue but answered with the words of a true evangelist, "Come and see" (John 1:45-46 (John 1:45-46)). Thus from the beginning Philip was one who brought others to Christ.

The Gospel records his presence at several of the Lord's wonders. When the great multitude had gathered and there was no bread, the Lord turned to Philip to prove him, asking, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" Philip answered that two hundred pennyworth of bread would not be enough, and then he beheld the Lord feed five thousand from five loaves and two fishes (John 6:5-7 (John 6:5-7)). And when certain Greeks came up to worship at the feast and desired to see Jesus, it was to Philip that they came first, and he with Andrew brought their request before the Lord (John 12:20-22 (John 12:20-22)). It was Philip also who said in the upper room, "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us," and received the Lord's gentle answer, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father" (John 14:8-9 (John 14:8-9)).

After the Lord's Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, the Apostles cast lots and went forth into all the world to preach the Gospel. The Coptic Synaxarium says that Philip's lot took him to the regions of Africa and the lands round about. There he proclaimed the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and God confirmed his preaching with signs and wonders that astonished all who beheld them, so that many turned from idols to the worship of the living God. After strengthening the believers in the faith, he journeyed on to Phrygia and came to the city of Hierapolis, where he continued the same labour of the Gospel, healing the sick and casting out the deceits of the idols.

The unbelievers of that city were filled with envy, and they accused him of breaking the king's order which forbade strangers to enter their city. They seized him and tortured him, and then they crucified him with his head downward. While he hung upon the cross a great earthquake shook the place, and the people were seized with fear. When the believers wished to take him down and spare him, he begged them rather to let him finish his course, and so he delivered up his pure soul into the hands of Christ in the year 80 A.D., receiving the unfading crown of martyrdom.

May his prayers be with us. Amen.