Patron Saints

Saint Philip

Saint Philip was born in Bethsaida, Galilee. He may have been a disciple of John the Baptist and is mentioned as one of the Apostles in the lists of Matthew, Mark, Luke and in Acts. Aside from the lists, he is mentioned only in John in the New Testament.

He was called by Jesus Himself and brought Nathaniel to Christ. Philip was present at the miracle of loaves and fishes, when he engaged in dialogue with the Lord, and was one of the Apostles approached by the Hellenistic Jews from Bethsaida to introduce them to Jesus. Just before the Passion, Jesus answered Philip’s query to show them the Father, but no further mention of Philip is made in the New Testament beyond his listing among the Apostles awaiting the Holy Spirit in the upper room. According to tradition, he preached in Greece and was crucified upside-down at Hierapolis under Emporer Domitian.

His feast Day is May 3.

Saint James the Less

Apostle called “the Younger” or “the Just,” named in the lists of the disciples given by Matthew, Mark, and Luke and mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He was the son of Alpheus and was known as “the Less” merely as a means of distinguishing him from James the Greater who was older or taller.

According to Mark, he stood with the women Mary and Mary Magdalene at the Crucifixion; he is also called by implication the son of the woman Mary. Little else is known with certainty about him, unless one accepts the view that he is to be identified with St. James, the Brother of the Lord, with whom he is often confused. In liturgical art, he is depicted holding a book or a club.

He shares the same feast day as St. Philip.