Philip the Apostle

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Saint Philip

Statue of Apostle Philip on Saint Isaac's cathedral Saint

Petersburg, Russia

Apostle and Martyr

Born Unknown, Bethsaida

Died c.80, Hierapolis, by crucifixion

Venerated
All Christianity
in

Canonized Pre-congregation

May 4 (Roman Catholic Church), November 14

(Eastern Orthodox Church), May 1 (Anglican
Feast Communion and pre-1955 General Roman
Calendar), 11 May (General Roman Calendar,
1955–69)
 Elderly bearded, Saint, and open to God man
Attributes
holding a basket of loaves and a Tau cross

Hatters; Luxembourg; Pastry chefs; San Felipe

Patronage
Pueblo; Uruguay
For other uses, see Saint Philip.
Saint Philip was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Later Christian traditions describe Philip
as the apostle who proselytized in Greece, Syria, and Phrygia. He was martyred by crucifixion in
the city of Hierapolis.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the feast day of Saint Philip, along with that of Saint James, has
traditionally been observed on 1 May, the anniversary of the dedication of the church dedicated
to them in Rome, now called the Church of the Twelve Apostles. When Pope Pius XII instituted
the feast of Saint Joseph the Workman in 1955, for celebration on 1 May, he moved the feast day
of Saints Philip and James (which was then a Double of the 2nd Class and became a Second-
Class Feast in 1960) to the nearest free day, which was then 11 May. With the 1969 revision of
the calendar 3 May became free for the Feast of the two Apostles. The Eastern Orthodox Church
celebrates St Philip's feast day on November 14.
Gnostic Christians appealed to the apostolic authority of Philip, ascribing a number of Gnostic
texts to him, most notably the Gospel of Philip from the Nag Hammadi library.
St Philip the Apostle is not to be confused with Philip the Evangelist and Protodeacon from the
Acts of the Apostles.

Contents
[hide]
• 1 New Testament
• 2 Christian Tradition
• 3 References
• 4 External links

[edit] New Testament

The Gospel of John describes Philip's calling as a disciple of Jesus (John 1:43). Philip is
described as a disciple from the city of Bethsaida, and connects him to Andrew and Peter, who
were from the same town (John 1:43–44). It further connects him to Nathanael (sometimes
identified with Bartholomew), by describing how Philip introduced Nathaniel to Jesus (John
1:45–47). The authors of the Synoptic Gospels also describe Philip as a disciple of Jesus[1][2][3].
Of the four Gospels, Philip figures most prominently in the Gospel of John. His two most notable
appearances in the narrative are as a link to the Greek-speaking Jewish community: Philip
introduces members of this community to Jesus (John 12:20–36); and, during the Last Supper
when he asked Jesus to see the Father, providing Jesus the opportunity to teach about the unity of
the Father and the Son (John 14:8–11).
Saint Philip is always listed fifth among the apostles (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14 and
Acts 1:13).
[edit] Christian Tradition

Russian Orthodox icon of the Saint Philip the Apostle, 18th century (Iconostasis of
Transfiguration church, Kizhi monastery, Karelia, Russia).
Christian stories about St Philip's life and ministry can be found in the extra-canonical writings
of later Christians than in the New Testament. One of the most reliable fragments of knowledge
about Philip comes from the head of the Catechetical School of Alexandria, Clement, who states
that Philip was married, had children, and one of his daughters was also married.[4] Other
legendary material about Philip can be misleading, as many hagiographers conflated Philip the
Apostle with Philip the Evangelist. The most notable and influential example of this is the
hagiography of Eusebius, in which Eusebius clearly assumes that both Philips are the same
person.[5] As early as 1260, Jacobus de Voragine noted in his Golden Legend that the account of
Philip's life given by Eusebius was not to be trusted.[6]
Later stories about Saint Philip's life can be found in the anonymous Acts of Philip, probably
written by a contemporary of Eusebius.[7] This non-canonical book recounts the preaching and
miracles of Philip. Following the resurrection of Jesus, Philip was sent with his sister Mariamme
and Bartolomew to preach in Greece, Phrygia, and Syria.[8] Included in the Acts of Philip is an
appendix, entitled "Of the Journeyings of Philip the Apostle: From the Fifteenth Act Until the
End, and Among Them the Martyrdom." This appendix gives an account of Philip's martyrdom
in the city of Hierapolis.[9] According to this account, through a miraculous healing and his
preaching Philip converted the wife of the proconsul of the city. This enraged the proconsul, and
he had Philip, Bartholomew, and Mariamme all tortured. Philip and Bartholomew were then
crucified upside down, and Philip preached from his cross. As a result of Philip's preaching the
crowd released Bartholomew from his cross, but Philip insisted that they not release him, and
Philip died on the cross. His remains were later placed in Constantinople, were they were
transported to Cyprus after the conquest of the City in 1204.
In the Unity Church, Philip is the Apostle associated with the power of dominion, or power, as
per Charles Fillmore's The Twelve Powers of Man.
[edit] References
1. ^ KJV Matthew 10:3 — note that, as in the Gospel of John, Philip is here paired with
Bartholomew.
2. ^ Mark 3:18
3. ^ Luke 6:14
4. ^ "Or do they also scorn the apostles? Peter and Philip had children, and Philip gave his
daughters in marriage." Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies, 3.6.52, retrieved March 8, 2007.
5. ^ For an example of Eusebius identifying Philip the Apostle with the Philip mentioned in Acts,
see Eusebius of Ceasaria, Church History, 3.31.5, retrieved March 14, 2007).
6. ^ Jacobus de Voragine, The Golden Legend, online version, retrieved March 14, 2007.
7. ^ Craig A. Blaising, "Philip, Apostle" in The Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, ed. Everett
Ferguson (New York: Garland Publishing, 1997).
8. ^ Acts of Philip, especially book 8, retrieved March 14, 2007.
9. ^ Available online (retrieved March 14, 2007).

[edit] External links