St. Philip the Apostle

St. Philip the Apostle was one of the Twelve and lived in the first century. He was from Bethsaida in Galilee, the same town associated with Peter and Andrew, and is remembered among the Apostles as a witness who brought others to Christ. His patronage is commonly connected with hatters, pastry cooks and those who seek to know the Father through the Son.

The Gospel of John gives Philip several memorable appearances. Jesus called him with the words, “Follow me,” and Philip immediately found Nathanael, saying, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote.” At the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus tested Philip by asking where bread could be bought for the crowd. Philip answered from practical calculation, but the miracle revealed that Christ’s power exceeded human resources. At the Last Supper, Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father,” and Jesus answered that whoever has seen Him has seen the Father.

These Gospel scenes show a man who asks direct questions and brings real people to Jesus. Later tradition places his missionary work in Asia Minor, especially around Hierapolis in Phrygia. Ancient accounts differ on the exact manner of his death, but he is widely honored as a martyr, often said to have been crucified or otherwise executed for preaching Christ.

Philip’s relic tradition has been connected with Rome, especially the church of the Twelve Apostles. His feast in the Roman calendar is kept with St. James the Less. His life is not known through a long biography, but the Gospel preserves enough to show his vocation clearly: he heard the call, followed the Lord, brought another man to Him and asked for the deepest revelation, the sight of the Father made known in Christ.

In Christian art he is often shown with a cross or with loaves, recalling both his martyrdom and the Gospel scene of the multiplication. His questions in John’s Gospel are part of his gift to the Church, because they draw from Christ some of the clearest words about the Father. Through Philip, the desire to see God becomes a path to faith in Jesus.