Subj : June 6th - St. Philip the Deacon
To   : All
From : rich
Date : Wed Jun 05 2019 08:41:04

From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

June 6th - St. Philip the Deacon

1st Century

ALL that is actually known about St. Philip is to be found in the Acts
of the Apostles. His name suggests that he was of Greek origin, but
St. Isidore of Pelusium asserts that he was born at Caesarea. He
stands second in the list of the seven deacons specially set aside in
the early days of the Church to look after its needy members, in order
that the Apostles might be free to devote themselves exclusively to
the ministry of the word. The work of the deacons, however, soon
developed, and we find them ministering to the priest at the
Eucharist, baptizing in the absence of a priest, and preaching the
Gospel. St. Philip in particular was so zealous in spreading the faith
that he was surnamed the Evangelist.

When the disciples dispersed after the martyrdom of St. Stephen he
carried the light of the Gospel to Samaria. His great success induced
the Apostles at Jerusalem to send St. Peter and St. John to confirm
his converts. Simon Magus, whom he had baptized, was amongst his
adherents. St. Philip was probably still in Samaria when an angel
directed him to go south to the road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza.
There he came upon one of the chief officials of Queen Candace of
Ethiopia. The man, who was presumably an African proselyte of the
Jews, was returning from a religious visit to the temple at Jerusalem,
and was sitting in his chariot studying with some perplexity the
prophecies of Isaias. St. Philip joined him, and explained that the
prophecies had found their meaning and fulfilment in the incarnation
and death of Jesus Christ. The eunuch believed and was baptized. St.
Philip was then led by the Spirit to Azotus, where he preached, as he
continued to do in all the cities through which he passed until he
reached Caesarea, perhaps his ordinary place of residence.

Some 24 years later, when St. Paul came to Caesarea, he lodged in the
house where St. Philip lived with his four unmarried daughters, who
were prophetesses. According to a later Greek tradition St. Philip
afterwards became bishop of Tralles, in Lydia.

See the Acta Sanctorum, June, vol. i, and cf. what is said under St.
Philip the Apostle, May I. The commemoration of the Deacon Philip on
this day seems to be due to a blunder of the martyrologist Ado, who
identified another martyr, Philip of Noviodunum in Moesia, whose name
occurs in the Hieronymianum, with the Deacon of the New Testament.


Saint Quote:
This synthesis of faith was not made to accord with human opinions,
but rather what was of the greatest importance was gathered from all
the Scriptures, to present the one teaching of the faith in its
entirety And just as the mustard seed contains a great number of
branches in a tiny grain, so too this summary of faith encompassed in
a few words the whole knowledge of the true religion contained in the
Old and the New Testaments.
-- Saint Cyril of Jerusalem

Bible Quote:
"He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves
abundance, with increase. This also is vanity." [Ecclesiastes 5:10]


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Hymn: Exsultet orbis

Now let the earth with joy resound,
And heaven the chant re-echo round;
Nor heaven nor earth too high can raise
The great Apostles' glorious praise.

O ye who, throned in glory dread,
Shall judge the living and the dead,
Lights of the world forever more!
To you the suppliant prayer we pour.

Ye close the sacred gates on high;
At your command apart they fly:
O loose for us the guilty chain
We strive to break, and strive in vain.

Sickness and health your voice obey;
At your command they go or stay:
From sin's disease our souls restore;
In good confirm us more and more.

So when the world is at its end.
And Christ to Judgment shall descend,
May we be called those joys to see
Prepared from all eternity.

Praise to the Father, with the son,
And Holy spirit, Three in One;
As ever was in ages past,
And so shall be while ages last. Amen

(Roman Breviary for the Common of Apostles)

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