The Holy Apostle Philip. The Life of the Apostle Philip

The Apostle Philip is one of the disciples of Christ, distinguished by his knowledge and good knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Just like Peter, the young man lived in the city of Bethsaida. Philip studied book science and from childhood knew the Old Testament, wholeheartedly wishing the coming of Jesus Christ. Immense love glimmered in his heart towards the Lord. Son of God, knowing about the spiritual impulses of Philip, who believed in the Most High, he found a young man and called for Himself.

I believe, Lord!

Without a trace of doubt, Philip followed Jesus. The apostle believed that He is the true Savior of the sinful world and therefore tried to be like Him in all things, gathering divine wisdom. Philip was fortunate, along with other disciples, to receive the great gift of being elected. But the apostle, enlightened 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, who proves such zeal. One day, when he met his friend Nathanael, the disciple of Christ hastened to tell the great news - He came, about whom the Old Testament prophets spoke. The Holy Apostle Philip, noticing the shadow of doubt on his companion'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 Israelite. A surprised young man asked the Son of God how to judge a man if he had 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, reflecting on the coming appearance of the Messiah. Nathanael prayed to the Lord to send to the earth his Son, who will at last cleanse the human race from all sins. At that moment the young man, without restraining tears, incessantly prayed. And then, in the presence of Jesus, Nathanael understood that the Lord had heard his prayers: He is now on earth. Having fallen 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 for telling about the Great Advent and bringing him to Him whom he, a servant of God, did not even dream of seeing, much less standing side by side, face to face. The Apostle Philip rejoiced with his friend.

A wonderful feast

The disciple of Christ Philip praised his teacher and appreciated, but saw in Him only the highest human manifestations. It was difficult for him to know 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 this. As the Apostle John writes, Christ, walking with five thousand people along the seashore, wanted to feed the people. Experiencing Philip, Jesus asked the young man, where you can get bread for the people. The apostle, forgetting about the divine greatness of the Messiah, asked him to let the people in the neighborhood search for food, since there would still not be enough coins to buy so much bread. The Savior knew that this was exactly what the apostle Philip would answer him. After the words of his disciple, Christ, according to the Bible, took 5 loaves and 2 fish and, breaking them, began to give out to people. Everyone who approached the Son of God received food. 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, from Him born.

Unity of the Father and the Son

Orthodox Christianity especially reveres Philip for having always had the boldness to ask the Lord questions of interest to him and receive answers to them that are imprinted in the Gospel. So, for example, after the Last Supper, the apostle asked Jesus to show all the disciples of the Heavenly Father. Christ, hearing this, rebuked Philip, saying that he who saw the Son, he also saw the Most High. Jesus said that the Father, who abides in Him, does good deeds. Thus, the answer of the Son of God proves once again 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, the heretics led by Ariem try to distort the essence of the Holy Trinity, speaking of the human nature of the Son of God. But the Ecumenical Council was able to refute this fact by words from the Bible and by a miracle that occurred at one of his meetings. St. Spyridon of Trimphund, having entered into a dispute with one of the Aryan philosophers, clearly demonstrated the existence of the Holy Trinity. Taking a stone in his hand, he squeezed it hard, resulting in fire from the brick and water flowing, and clay remained in the palm of the elder.

The Way of the Apostle

Like the rest of the disciples, Philip received the blessing of the Lord to profess faith. On the day of Pentecost, after the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostle went to Galilee. One day, wandering through her streets, Philip met a woman with a dead baby in her arms. The inconsolable cried for a long time about the lost son. The apostle, having compassion on the woman, approached her and, raising her hand to the child, resurrected him in the name of Jesus Christ. Upon seeing the child, the mother rushed to the feet of the disciple of God and asked to be baptized in the name of the Lord. So the Apostle Philip turned the woman and the child to faith. His life also narrates about other miracles, because of which some, mostly ordinary people, were baptized, and the evil scribes and Pharisees denounced the innocent student.

In Greece

The Holy Apostle Philip continued his wanderings in Hellenic land. There the disciple of Christ preached, healed and even resurrected the dead one time. The news of this spread throughout Greece and reached the priests of Jerusalem, after which the bishop, along with the Pharisees, came to the land of the Greeks.

Then, dressed in priestly clothes, he decided to judge the apostle Philip, accusing him of seducing 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. The people, hearing these words, cried out, demanding a response from the apostle. At that moment the Holy Spirit spoke on behalf of Philip, telling people the whole truth - how the tomb was closed with an unbearable stone and put the guards in the hope of exposing the Wanderer in a lie. But Christ is risen, having the power of God. And even the grave seals were not touched, as the apostle told the Hellenes. The Bishop, hearing the Truth, became furious and attacked Philip with an irresistible desire to strangle him. At the same time, the priest lost his sight and became black as coal.

People, seeing the helpless blinded bishop, accused Philip of witchcraft and also wanted to ruin him. But all who tried to do this, lost sight and blackened, like a priest. At the same time, the ground under the feet of the people began to rampage, making them tremble with fear.

Appeal to the Lord

Apostle Philip, unable to see the spiritual blindness of an enraged people, began to pray to the Lord in tears. The Most High enlightened many people in the crowd, and they believed in Christ. And only the vicious priest continued to stand his ground, sending blasphemy against the Lord. Unable to endure this, the Almighty did so that the earth opened and absorbed the bishop. People who knew what the fear of God is, continued to be baptized and receive Christ into their souls. In the place of the deceased priest, the apostle Philip defined another bishop who had faith in Jesus with the whole soul.

Travel to Nitrogen

After the Greeks converted to Christianity, the apostle Philip decided to go to Syria. Before that, he prayed and saw in the sky an image of a golden eagle that spread its wings as the hands of Jesus Christ were nailed to the cross. Sitting aboard the ship, Philip, along with the other travelers, headed to the Syrian city of Azot. During the journey, a storm began, which led many to despair - it seemed impossible to be saved. But Philip, having a firm faith, incessantly prayed. Suddenly a cross appeared in the sky, illuminating with its light the sky and sea waves, and the storm immediately subsided. The apostle, having arrived in the city, took up residence with an old man. He had a daughter suffering from eye disease. The whole family listened enthusiastically to the teaching, especially this girl. Philip, seeing her spiritual delight, wished to heal the sick with the word of God, which he did. The elder's family then received baptism.

The Last Haven

After Ashdod, Philip went to another city in Syria - Hierapolis. Its inhabitants did not receive the disciple of Christ, wanting to stone him. The defense of the apostle was raised only by one person, who later settled Philip. His name was Ir. This man, who showed courage and was not afraid of the crowd, was baptized in the name of Christ. Cruel people, not finding peace, decided to set fire to the dwelling where the apostle and Ir were. Philip, after learning about the national idea, went out into the yard. People rushed to the apostle, like a starving beast at his prey. Philip brought to the ruler of the city Aristarchus, who knew about the disciple of Christ who had appeared in their territory. The mayor, furious and indignant, seized the apostle in his hair, and then his hand withered, and he himself went blind and deaf. The distraught people, fearful, demanded that Philip heal the mayor. But the apostle could not do this until Aristarchus believed in the Lord. But the people, continuing to show Philip their cynicism and unbelief, asked him to heal the dead man they were about to bury. In this case, they promised to convert to Christianity. The Apostle Philip did what the insatiable people asked for. The deceased resurrected and, having fallen at the feet of the disciple of Christ, prayed to baptize him. He thanked Philip for saving him from the demons who had dragged him to hell, eternal perdition for the soul.

The people unanimously began to glorify the Most High, also wanting to receive baptism. At this time, Philip asked the people to calm down, and then handed the cross to Iru , which he had to attach to Aristarchus's withered hand, ears and eyes. The ruler miraculously healed. Enthusiastic people decided to destroy their wooden idols and continue to believe in one Lord. Orthodox Christianity claims that the Apostle Philip founded in those parts a temple and placed at his head a faithful Ira.

Together with other students

Continuing his wanderings around the world, Philip met the apostle Bartholomew and his sister Mariamne. At that moment, they preached on the land of Mysi and Lydia, glorifying Christ. They were humiliated, insulted and beaten, but they continued to carry on their shoulders a sacred mission. 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.

The death of a disciple of Christ

One day the wife of the ruler of Hierapolis was bitten by a snake. A woman, hearing about the presence in their lands of apostles performing miracles, ordered to send for them. Philip, Bartholomew and Miriam came to her house and healed the sick man. The woman was baptized without a doubt.

The mayor of Nikanor, having learned that his faithful believed in Christ, commanded to seize the apostles and condemn them. The ruler gathered all the priests who wanted revenge for the disciples of Jesus.

At the trial, the mayor tore off the apostles' clothes, being sure that all their strength lies in their vestments. Approaching Mariamne, the servants wanted to expose the young body of the virgin Maryamna, thereby defaming him. But the Lord did not allow this to happen, lighting the girl with such a bright flame that they fled in fear. So Mariamna remained untouched. The apostles suffered a bitter fate. The ruler commanded crucifying Philip on the cross, head down in front of the place of worship of echidna. The apostle was drilled with his feet and, inserting ropes in them, hung them, thereby executing them. The same fate overtook and Bartholomew, who was crucified next to the temple. At that moment, a terrible earthquake struck, the depths exploded, absorbing the pagan priests and the ruler of the city. Those who believed in Christ tearfully asked the apostles to pray to God for the cessation of these horrors. Bartholomew was removed from the cross, and Philip died, which the Lord pleased. This is how the apostle Philip completed his earthly journey. His life is truly holy.

Intercessor before God

Prayer to the Apostle Philip has a miraculous power. It can be addressed not only by the person who wears this name. Philip prayed in the struggle against passions and temptations, in the search for Truth, God-pleasing life and deliverance from premature death without repentance and communion.

On the day of remembrance of the disciple of Christ on November 27, read the Akathist to the Apostle Philip - these are the prayers that glorify the saint and describe his life's mess. The whole work is divided into kontakion, troparia and Icons (darlings). In the prayers of the saint is called the vine of Christ, the lamp of the light and the ray of glory. Read the Akathist to the Apostle Philip, immerse himself in its content and you will understand how great was his feat. Of course, without the help of God, a disciple of Christ could not work on such actions. But his endless faith and warm heart became the decisive factor in his service to God.

The Apostle Philip. Icon

This saint is depicted in various ways on images. On one of the icons he is presented in a green vestment with a red cape. In one hand he holds a bundle, and the right one blesses everyone in the name of Christ.

Other icons depict the earthly path of the apostle. One of the most famous is the crucifix of Philip before the place of worship of echidna. On the image you can see that the apostle, bleeding, continues to silently pray. When you look at this icon for a long time, it seems that the halo over his head becomes even brighter.

In the Name of the Lord and the Saints

The disciple of Christ Philip, whose life is truly holy and filled with unshakable faith, deserved to be installed temples in his honor. For example, the church of the apostle Philip (Veliky Novgorod), dating from 1194, has the form of a ship. This style of construction refers to the most ancient and marks a salvation for people. As the ship can swim across the seas and oceans and reach the shore, and through the church you can find the Kingdom of God. The temple was reconstructed by the end of the 20th 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 is still functioning today. But not only in Russia glory and honor Philip the Apostle. The church in honor of this disciple of Christ is also built in the United Arab Emirates, where the Orthodox congregation is few, but unshakable in their faith.

The temple of the Apostle Philip once existed on the Kremlin Square, but at the moment the church is not preserved (there is only one altar left) and access, of course, there is not.

Faith in Christ and self-sacrifice in the name of the Lord is what will help people enter the Kingdom of Heaven, like Philip.