The Apostle Philip is one of the disciples of Christ, distinguished by his education and good knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Like Peter, the young man lived in the city of Bethsaida. Philip was engaged in book sciences and from childhood he knew the Old Testament, with all his heart desiring the coming of Jesus Christ. Immeasurable love flickered in his heart towards the Lord. The Son of God, knowing about the spiritual impulses of Philip, who believed in the Most High, found the young man and called for Him.
I believe, Lord
Philip followed Jesus without hesitation. The apostle believed that He is the true Savior of the sinful world and therefore tried to be like Him in everything, gaining divine wisdom. Philip was lucky, along with other students, to receive a great gift - to be chosen. But the apostle, illumined by the joy of being with the Messiah, wanted to share this happiness with others.
The Apostle John the Theologian describes one story from the life of Philip, which proves such zeal. Somehow, having met his friend Nathanael, the disciple of Christ hurried to tell the great news - the One about whom the Old Testament prophets spoke came. The Holy Apostle Philip, noticing a shadow of doubt on his comrade's face, decided to take him to Christ - the young man was sure that Nathanael would recognize the Messiah. The Lord, seeing the doubter, recognized him as an honest and unfeigned Israeli. The surprised young man asked the Son of God about how one can judge a person if he has never known him. In response, Christ said that he saw Nathanael under the fig tree. And then the young man remembered that at that moment he was completely alone, thinking about the coming appearance of the Messiah. Nathanael prayed to the Lord to send His Son to Earth, who would finally cleanse the human race from all sins. At that moment, the young man, not holding back his tears, prayed unceasingly. And then, being in the face of Jesus, Nathanael realized that the Lord heard his prayers: now He is on earth. Falling down at the feet of the Messiah, the young man recognized Christ as the Son of God.
Nathanael was very grateful to the disciple of Jesus because he told about the Great Coming and led him to the One whom he, the servant of God, did not even dream of seeing, much less standing next to him, face to face. The Apostle Philip rejoiced with his friend.
A wonderful feast
Christ's disciple Philip praised his teacher and appreciated, but saw in Him only the highest human manifestations. It was difficult for him to recognize in Him the almighty God because of his sinful nature, which is inherent in all people. The Lord, seeing the lack of faith in His disciple, wished to correct it. As the apostle John writes, Christ, walking with five thousand people along the seashore, wanted to feed the people. Testing Philip, Jesus asked the young man where he could get bread for the people. The apostle, having forgotten about the divine greatness of the Messiah, asked him to let the people go around the neighborhood to look for food, sincethe available coins would still not be enough to buy so much bread. The Savior knew that this is how the apostle Philip would answer him. After the words of his disciple, Christ, according to the Bible, took 5 loaves and 2 fish and, having broken them, began to distribute to people. Everyone who approached the Son of God received food. The Apostle Philip, seeing this miracle, was ashamed of his lack of faith. And together with the people he glorified the Lord God and Jesus Christ, born of Him.
Unity of Father and Son
Orthodox Christianity especially reveres Philip for the fact that he always had the audacity to ask the Lord questions of interest to him and receive answers to them, which are captured in the Gospel. So, for example, after the Last Supper, the apostle asked Jesus to show all the disciples the Heavenly Father. Christ, hearing this, reproached Philip, saying that he who saw the Son saw the Most High. Jesus said that the Father who abides in Him does good works. Thus, the answer of the Son of God once again proves that He is not a creature, but the Creator, being on an equal footing with His Father. 4 centuries after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, heretics led by Arius will try to distort the essence of the Holy Trinity, speaking about the human nature of the Son of God. But the Ecumenical Council was able to refute this fact with words from the Bible and a miracle that happened at one of its meetings. St. Spyridon of Trimifuntsky, having entered into a dispute with one of the Aryan philosophers, clearly proved the existence of the Holy Trinity. Taking a stone in his hands, he squeezed it with force, as a result of which fire came out of the brick and flowedwater, and clay remained in the palm of the old man.
The Way of the Apostle
Like the rest of the disciples, Philip was blessed by the Lord to practice his faith. On the day of Pentecost, after the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostle went to Galilee. Once, wandering through its streets, Philip met a woman with a dead baby in her arms. The inconsolable wept for a long time for her lost son. The apostle, taking pity on the woman, approached her and, raising his hand to the child, resurrected him in the name of Jesus Christ. Seeing the revived child, the mother threw herself at the feet of the disciple of God and asked to be baptized in the name of the Lord. This is how the Apostle Philip converted a woman and a baby to faith. His life also tells of other miracles, because of which some, mostly ordinary people, were baptized, and the evil scribes and Pharisees denounced the innocent disciple.
In Greece
The Holy Apostle Philip continued his wanderings in the Hellenic land. There the disciple of Christ preached, healed and even once resurrected the dead. The news of this spread throughout Greece and reached the priests of Jerusalem, after which the bishop, together with the Pharisees, arrived in the land of the Hellenes.
Then, dressed in priestly clothes, he decided to judge the Apostle Philip, accusing him of deceiving the common people with his miracles. The priest, beside himself with rage, reproached the disciple for spreading false faith. The bishop accused Philip and all the apostles of taking the body of the Lord from the tomb after his crucifixion on the cross. The people, hearing these words, cried out, demanding an answer from the apostle. ATAt this moment, the Holy Spirit spoke on behalf of Philip, telling people the whole truth - how the tomb was closed with an unbearable stone and guards were placed, hoping to convict the Stranger of a lie. But Christ is risen with the power of God. And even the coffin seals were not touched, as the apostle told the Hellenes. The bishop, having heard the Truth, became furious and attacked Philip with an irresistible desire to strangle him. At the same time, the priest lost his sight and turned black as coal.
People, seeing the helpless blind bishop, accused Philip of witchcraft and also wanted to kill him. But everyone who tried to do this lost their sight and turned black, like a priest. At the same moment, the ground under the feet of the people began to rage, causing them to tremble in fear.
Appeal to the Lord
The Apostle Philip, unable to see the spiritual blindness of the angry people, began to pray to the Lord in tears. The Almighty enlightened many people in the crowd, and they believed in Christ. And only the evil priest continued to stand his ground, sending blasphemy against the Lord. Unable to endure this, the Almighty caused the earth to open up and swallow the bishop. People who knew what the fear of God is, continued to be baptized and receive Christ into their souls. In place of the deceased priest, the apostle Philip appointed another bishop, who believed in Jesus with all his soul.
Journey to Azot
After the conversion of the Greeks to Christianity, the Apostle Philip decided to go to Syria. Before that, he prayed and saw in the sky the image of a golden eagle, which spread its wings as the hands of Jesus Christ were nailed to the cross. Sitting on board the ship, Philip, along with the rest of the travelers, went to the Syrian city of Azot. During the journey, a storm began, which led many into despair - it seemed that it was no longer possible to escape. But Philip, having firm faith, prayed unceasingly. Suddenly a cross appeared in the sky, illuminating the sky and the waves of the sea with its light, and the storm immediately subsided. The apostle, having arrived in the city, settled down with an old man. He had a daughter suffering from an eye disease. The whole family listened with delight to the teachings, especially this girl. Philip, seeing her spiritual delight, wished to heal the sick woman with the word of God, which he did. The elder's family was then baptized.
Last resting place
After Azot, Philip went to another city in Syria - Hierapolis. Its inhabitants did not accept the disciple of Christ, wanting to stone him. Only one person stood up to defend the apostle, with whom Philip later settled. His name was Ir. This man, who showed courage and was not afraid of the crowd, was baptized in the name of Christ. Hard-hearted people, not finding peace for themselves, decided to set fire to the dwelling where the apostle and Ir. Philip, having learned about the people's plan, went out into the courtyard. People rushed at the apostle, like a hungry beast on its prey. Philip was brought to the governor of the city, Aristarchus, who found out about the disciple of Christ who had appeared in their area. The mayor, furious and indignant, grabbed the apostle's hair, and immediately his hand withered away, and he himself became blind and deaf. The distraught people, being in fear, demanded from Philip the healing of the mayor. But the apostle could notto do until Aristarchus believes in the Lord. But the people, continuing to show their cynicism and unbelief to Philip, asked him to heal the dead man who was about to be buried. In this case, they promised to convert to Christianity. The Apostle Philip fulfilled what people insatiable for spectacles asked. The deceased was resurrected and, falling at the feet of the disciple of Christ, begged to be baptized. He thanked Philip for saving him from the demons that dragged him to hell - eternal death for the soul.
The people unanimously began to glorify the Almighty, also wanting to be baptized. At this time, Philip asked the people to calm down, after which he gave Ir the sign of the cross, which he had to apply to Aristarchus's withered hand, ears and eyes. The ruler was miraculously healed. Enthusiastic people decided to destroy their wooden idols and continue to believe in the one and only Lord. Orthodox Christianity claims that the Apostle Philip founded a temple in those parts and put the faithful Ira at its head.
Together with other students
Continuing his travels around the world, Philip met the Apostle Bartholomew and his sister Mariamne. At that moment they were preaching in the Mysian land and in Lydia, glorifying Christ. They were humiliated, insulted and beaten, but they continued to bear the sacred mission on their shoulders. Philip went with them to Hierapolis of Phrygia. In this city, the apostles were able to heal a blind man who had not seen for 40 years.
Death of a disciple of Christ
Once the wife of the ruler of Hierapolis was bitten by a snake. A woman, having heard about the presence of apostles in their lands, performing miracles,ordered to send for them. Philip, Bartholomew and Mariamne came to her house and healed the sick woman. The woman was baptized without a doubt.
The mayor Nikanor, having learned that his missus believed in Christ, commanded to seize the apostles and condemn them. The ruler gathered all the priests who wanted revenge on the disciples of Jesus.
At the trial, the mayor tore off the clothes of the apostles, being sure that all their strength lies in the vestments. Approaching Mariamne, the servants wanted to expose the young body of the maiden Mariamne, thereby discrediting him. But the Lord did not allow this to be done, illuminating the girl with such a bright flame that they fled in fear. So Mariamne remained untouched. The apostles suffered a bitter fate. The ruler ordered Philip to be crucified on the cross upside down in front of the place of worship of the echidna. The feet of the apostle were drilled and, having inserted ropes into them, they hung them up, thereby executing him. The same fate overtook Bartholomew, who was crucified next to the temple. At that moment there was a terrible earthquake, the subsoil was scattered, swallowing the pagan priests and the ruler of the city. Those who believed in Christ tearfully asked the apostles to pray to God for an end to these horrors. Bartholomew was removed from the cross, and Philip died, which was pleasing to the Lord. This is how the apostle Philip ended his earthly journey. His life is truly holy.
Intercessor before God
Prayer to the Apostle Philip has miraculous power. Not only the person who bears this name can turn to him. They pray to Philip in the fight against passions and temptations, in search of Truth,charitable life and deliverance from premature death without repentance and communion.
On the day of the memory of the disciple of Christ on November 27, read the akathist to the Apostle Philip - these are prayers glorifying the saint and describing his life's dregs. The whole work is divided into kontakia, troparia and ikos (doxology). In prayers, the saint is called the vine of the vine of Christ, a bright lamp and a glorious ray. Read the Akathist to the Apostle Philip, immerse yourself in its content and you will understand how great his feat was. Of course, without God's help, a disciple of Christ would not have been able to strive for such deeds. But his endless faith and warm heart became the decisive factor in his service to God.
Apostle Philip. Icon
This saint is depicted differently in images. On one of the icons, he is represented in a green robe with a red cape. In one hand he holds a bundle, and with his right he blesses everyone in the name of Christ.
Other icons depict the earthly path of the apostle. One of the most famous is the crucifixion of Philip in front of the place of worship of the echidna. On the image, you can see that the apostle, bleeding, continues to pray inaudibly. When you look at this icon for a long time, it seems that the halo above his head becomes even brighter.
In the name of the Lord and the saints
Christ's disciple Philip, whose life path is truly holy and filled with unshakable faith, deserved to have temples erected in his honor. So, for example, the Church of the Apostle Philip (Veliky Novgorod), dating from 1194, has the shape of a ship. This building stylerefers to the most ancient and marks the salvation of people. Just as one can cross the seas and oceans on a ship and reach the shore, so one can gain the Kingdom of God through the church. The temple was reconstructed by the end of the twentieth century.
Those who live in Moscow can visit the Church of the Apostle Philip on the Arbat. The church was built in the 17th century and functions to this day. But not only in Russia they glorify and honor Philip the Apostle. A church in honor of this disciple of Christ was also built in the United Arab Emirates, where the Orthodox flock is not numerous, but unshakable in its faith.
The Church of the Apostle Philip once existed on Kremlin Square, but at the moment the church has not been preserved (one altar remains) and, of course, there is no access there.
Faith in Christ and self-denial in the name of the Lord is what will help people enter the Kingdom of Heaven, like Philip.
