Philip the Apostle

). The authors of the Synoptic Gospels also describe Philip as a disciple of Jesus (see ).]

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 (, ).

Christian Tradition

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. [: "Or do they also scorn the apostles? Peter and Philip had children, and Philip gave his daughters in marriage." Clement of Alexandria, "Miscellanies", [http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/clement-stromata-book3-english.html 3.6.52] , retrieved March 8, 2007.] 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. [For an example of Eusebius identifying Philip the Apostle with the Philip mentioned in Acts, see Eusebius of Ceasaria, "Church History", 3.31.5 (available [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.viii.xxxi.html online] , retrieved March 14, 2007).] 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. [Jacobus de Voragine, "The Golden Legend", [http://www.catholic-forum.com/Saints/golden189.htm online version] , retrieved March 14, 2007.]

Later stories about Saint Philip's life can be found in the anonymous "Acts of Philip", probably written by a contemporary of Eusebius. [Craig A. Blaising, "Philip, Apostle" in "The Encyclopedia of Early Christianity", ed. Everett Ferguson (New York: Garland Publishing, 1997).] 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. ["Acts of Philip", especially book 8, available [http://www.meta-religion.com/World_Religions/Christianity/Other_Books/New_Testament_Apocrypha/acts_of_philip.htm online] , retrieved March 14, 2007.] 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. [Available [http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-08/anf08-92.htm#P7670_2355418 online] (retrieved March 14, 2007).] 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.

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".

References

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11799a.htm St. Philip the Apostle] article from "The Catholic Encyclopedia" (1911)
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01626c.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Apostle] article regarding the title "Apostle" from The Catholic Encyclopedia
* [http://www.catholic-forum.com/Saints/saintp21.htm Catholic Forum: "St. Philip"]
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=103299 Holy, All-Praised Apostle Philip] Orthodox icon and synaxarion

Persondata
NAME=Philip
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Philip the Apostle, Saint Philip
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Apostle of Jesus, Christian Saint and Martyr
DATE OF BIRTH=unknown
PLACE OF BIRTH=Bethsaida
DATE OF DEATH=c. 80
PLACE OF DEATH=Hierapolis