Apostle
Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons
Apostle Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons
New Calendar October 11 Old Calendar October 24
Why they are a saint
Philip the Deacon, one of the Seven in Acts, preached in Samaria and baptized the Ethiopian official; the calendar numbers him with the Seventy. Apostles are honored as the first witnesses who carried the Gospel. The Church commemorates him with the apostolic company that first carried the Gospel.
Life
Saint Philip of the Seventy, not to be confused with Philip of the Twelve, was born in Palestine, was married and had children. After Pentecost the Apostles made him one of the seven deacons of the Church of Jerusalem, to care for the offerings of the faithful and for widows, orphans and the needy.
When persecution began after the stoning of Saint Stephen, Philip went to Samaria and preached there with great success (Acts 8). At an angel's command he went to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, where he converted and baptized an official of the queen of Ethiopia. The Apostles later made him a bishop and sent him to Tralles in Asia Minor, where he baptized many. He died in old age.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Philip of the Seventy as a patron when they bear the name Philip at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on October 11. Those who share his calling as a missionary also ask his prayers.
Prayer
O holy Philip of the Seventy, One of the Seven Deacons, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.