Philip the Apostle

Who they were

Philip came from Bethsaida and had been a disciple of John the Baptist, waiting for the Messiah. He was among the first Jesus called ('Follow me'), was with Him before the feeding of the five thousand, and at the Last Supper asked Him, 'Show us the Father.'

After Pentecost he preached through Asia Minor, and at Hierapolis in Phrygia he was crucified head downwards on an X-shaped cross. He is buried with St James the Less in the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles in Rome.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Philip has been honoured as an apostle and martyr since the earliest Church. He shares his feast with St James the Less on 3 May.

Why that counted as sanctity

Philip left everything the moment he was called, brought others to Christ, and carried the Gospel into Asia Minor until he died on a cross for it.

Connected on this site

• John the Baptist Saint
  “Philip came from Bethsaida and had been a disciple of John the Baptist, waiting for the Messiah.” — this site's research
• Ursinus of Bourges Saint
  “Gregory of Tours' legendary account associated him with a Nathaniel, friend of Philip the Apostle, that he was present at the Last Supper, and read a lesson there.” — Wikipedia