Saint’s Life Story

His Early Life

In the 1st century, Philip was born in Bethsaida, Galilee, the same town as Peter and Andrew came from. Little is known of Philip’s childhood and early life. Philip is thought to have initially been a disciple of Saint John the Baptist.

Apostle of Christ

Saint John Chrysostom says that Philip was a family man that still found time to meditate on the law and the prophets. This study prepared Philip to recognize the expected Messiah. Philip was the third apostle, after Andrew and Peter, after Christ Our Lord found him and called out to him, “Follow me.” (John 1:43)

Philip is mentioned several times in the Gospel of John where we get a glimpse of him as a man of an amiable, earnest and circumspect disposition.

Immediately after being chosen, Philip seeks out Nathaniel to tell him of his great discovery. On meeting with disdainful doubt on Nathaniel’s part, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip is neither frustrated nor irritated but says simply, “Come and see.” (John 1:46)

Multiplication of Loaves

In the description of the feeding of the five thousand Philip figures again. At the multiplication of the loaves and the fish when the great multitude came to Him, Our Lord singles Philip out asking him, “Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?” And this He said to try him ; for He Himself knew what He would do.” Once more we get an impression of the literalness of Philip’s mental outlook when he replies soberly, ” “Two hundred days’ wages worth of food would not be enough for each of them to have a little (bit).” (John 6:5-7).

No further mention of Philip is made in the New Testament beyond his listing among the apostles awaiting the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room (Acts 1:13).

Preacher

After the Ascension of the Lord, the Apostle Philip preached the Word of God in Galilee, accompanying his preaching with miracles. According to the Acts of Philip, from Galilee, Philip went on to preach the Good News in Greece, Phrygia, and Syria with his sister Marianne and Bartholomew. Through a miraculous healing and his preaching, Philip converted the wife of the city prefect, Amphipatos, under Emperor Domitian. This conversion enraged the prefect.

Having learned that his wife had accepted Christianity, the prefect Amphipatos gave orders to arrest Philip, Marianne, and Bartholomew traveling with them. So, he had Philip, Bartholomew, and Marianne all tortured. At the urging of the pagan priests of the temple, Amphipatos ordered Philip and Bartholomew to be crucified. Then, Philip and Bartholomew were crucified upside-down and were stoned.

Earthquake

Suddenly, an earthquake struck. It knocked down all those present at the place of judgment. Hanging upon the cross by the pagan temple, Philip prayed for those who had crucified him, asking God to save them from the ravages of the earthquake. Seeing this happen, the crowd of people believed in Christ and began to demand that Philip and Bartholomew be taken down from the crosses. As a result of Philip’s preaching, Bartholomew was still alive when he was taken down from his cross, baptizing all those believing and establishing a bishop for them.

His Death

Philip continuing preaching from his cross. However, Philip insisted that they not release him. So around 80, Philip died on the cross in Hierapolis, Phrygia (near modern Pamukkale, Turkey). Philip must have lived to an advanced age as Saint Polycarp, who was only converted in the year 80, held conversations with him.

Philip’s relics were translated to Rome and placed in the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles, where an ancient inscription records that it was originally dedicated to Saints Philip and James.

In his letter to Saint Victor, written about 189-98, Bishop Polycrates of Ephesus mentions among the “great lights,” whom the Lord will seek on the “last day,” “Philip, one of the Twelve Apostles, who is buried in Hieropolis with his two daughters, who grew old as virgins,” and a third daughter, who “led a life in the Holy Ghost and rests in Ephesus.”

Born:                   1st Century in Bethsaida, Galilee

Died:                   Around 80 in Hierapolis, Phrygia (near Pamukkale, Turkey)

Beatified:           Pre-Congregation

Canonized:        Pre-Congregation

Feast Day:         May 3

Patron Saint:    Hat Makers; Hatters; Luxembourg; Pastry Chefs; Philippeville, Belgium; Uruguay

Source:

• • What happened to St. Philip the Apostle after Pentecost? – Aleteia
  • Saint Philip and Saint James – America Needs Fatima
  • CatholicSaints.Info » Saints of the Day – Philip and James, Apostles by Katherine I Rabenstein
  • Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip – Orthodox Church in America
  • Philip the Apostle – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

12 Apostles Journey – Philip – YouTube (Catholic Online)