Troparion in Tone 3
Holy apostle of Christ,
Entreat the merciful God
To grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.
Holy Apostle Philip of the Seventy, one of the
7 Deacons is not to be confused with St Philip one of the Twelve
Apostles (November 14). This Philip was born in Palestine, was married
and had four daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the
Twelve Apostles made Philip a deacon in the Church of Jerusalem. Along
with the other six deacons, they appointed him to deal with the
offerings of the faithful and attend to the concerns of the widowed, the
orphaned and the needy. The eldest among the seven deacons was the holy
Archdeacon Stephen. When the persecution of Christians began, the Jews
stoned the Protomartyr Stephen. The Apostle Philip left Jerusalem and
settled in Samaria. There he successfully preached Christianity. Among
the disciple's converts was the noted magician Simon, who "after being
baptized, continued with Philip." (Acts 8:9-13)
At the command of an angel of the Lord, St Philip set out upon the road
connecting Jerusalem with Gaza. There he met an official of the empress
of Ethiopia, whom also he converted to Christianity (Acts 8:26-39).
The holy Apostle Philip tirelessly preached the Word of God in many of
the lands of the Near East adjoining Palestine. At Jerusalem the
Apostles made him a bishop and sent him to Tralles in Asia Minor, where
he also baptized many. St Philip died in old age. He is also
commemorated on October 11
