November 14: Saint Philip the Apostle, from Bethsaida to martyrdom in Hierapolis

The feast of Saint Philip the Apostle is commemorated on November 14. Philip was one of the Twelve, born in Bethsaida of Galilee, the same town as Saints Peter and Andrew. Well versed in the Law and the Prophets, he recognized Jesus as the promised Messiah when called, and brought his friend Nathanael (Bartholomew) to Christ with the words "come and see".

The Gospels show his practical mindset and sincere curiosity: he calculated the cost of feeding the five thousand, helped Greek seekers approach Jesus, and at the Last Supper asked the Lord to show the disciples the Father, which drew Christ's answer that whoever has seen the Son has seen the Father. After Pentecost he preached in Asia Minor and Greece, traveling with his sister Saint Mariamne and the Apostle Bartholomew through Syria, Lydia and Phrygia.

They converted multitudes, healed the sick and raised the dead, while enduring stonings, beatings and imprisonment. In Hierapolis in Phrygia, pagans worshiped a large viper in a temple. Philip slew the serpent through prayer and healed many, including the wife of the city's governor.

The governor, enraged by his wife's conversion and the loss of the pagan cult, ordered Philip and Bartholomew to be crucified upside down. As Philip hung on the cross, an earthquake struck the city and swallowed the governor and the pagan priests, while Philip prayed for the salvation of the frightened crowd. Bartholomew was rescued alive, and Philip gave up his soul, receiving the crown of martyrdom.