Saint Philip the Apostle
It celebrates on November 14
Saint Philip was one of the Lord’s twelve disciples. He came from Bethsaida in Galilee, from where Andrew and Peter came. The Lord Himself called him His disciple, and then Philip brought Nathanael to the Lord. Here are some New Testament passages where the reader can learn more about Philip, about his life with Christ: Matt. i’ -3, Mark. 3 -18, Luke 5 -14, John. a’ 44-49, John. l’ 20-23, Prax. a’ 13. However, it is worth mentioning a dialogue (Gospel of John, n.d.) that Philip had with the Lord, where he gives the Lord an occasion to reveal himself that he is one with God the Father.
So Philip said: “Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for us” (Lord, reveal to us, show us the Father, and that is enough for us).
And the Lord answered him among others: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? the words that I speak to you, I do not speak of myself; but the Father who is in me does the works” (Do you not believe, Philip, that I am inseparably connected with the Father, so that I am and abide in the Father and the Father to be and dwell in me? And I am so united, that what I teach you is not of myself. But my Father who dwells in me, he does the supernatural works).
Tradition states that Philip preached the Gospel to the Parthians and died a martyr’s death in Hierapolis, Syria.
The sept of the apostle for many years adorned the holy temple that had been built in Hierapolis in honor of the saint. And his holy chariot was honored by various emperors, such as Theodosius, Heraclius and others with their royal seals. After the conquest of the city by the Latins in 1204 AD. the sept relic was transferred to Cyprus and for many years it was kept in the village of Arsos (Arsinoi of Paphos) in the holy temple that was built there in honor of the apostle. Later a portion of the relics for blessing was distributed to various places. The case with the holy carapace before 1788 AD. for greater security it was moved to the Holy Monastery of Stavros in Omodos and is kept there until today.
