Holy Apostle Philip the Deacon, One of the Seven Deacons (1st Century) — October 11 / October 24 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, October 11 according to the Julian Calendar (October 24 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Apostle Philip, one of the Seven Deacons.

The holy Apostle Philip, one of the Seventy closest disciples of the Saviour, was born in Caesarea of Palestine. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Twelve Apostles appointed him a deacon of the Church of Jerusalem. Among the seven first deacons the eldest was the Archdeacon Stephen. When the persecution of the faithful began and the Jews stoned the Protomartyr Stephen, Philip left Jerusalem. He settled in Samaria and there spread the teaching of Christ. Through his preaching Simon the sorcerer was converted, who “was baptized and continued with Philip” (Acts 8:13).

At the direction of an angel of the Lord, the holy apostle set out on the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he met a court official of the queen of Ethiopia, a eunuch “who had charge of all her treasure,” and baptized him (Acts 8:26–39). After this “the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip,” and he found himself in the city of Azotus, near Gaza, on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. He “passed through and preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea” (Acts 8:40). In Caesarea the blessed one stayed for some time in his own house, and afterward returned to Jerusalem, where the apostles consecrated him a bishop. In this rank the chosen one of the Lord laboured in Tralles of Lydia (in the north-west of Asia Minor) and added many souls to the Church of Christ.

The holy apostle reposed in deep old age. To his four daughters, who lived in virginity and piety, the Lord granted the gift of prophecy (Acts 21:8–9). One of them, Hermione (commemorated on September 4), ended her life as a martyr.

The holy Apostle Philip, one of the Seven Deacons, should be distinguished from the other Philip — one of the Twelve Apostles — who is commemorated on November 14.