Philip was born in Bethsaida, which is found near the Sea of Galilee. Initially Philip was a follower of John the Baptist and later became an apostle of Jesus. He is listed in the Gospels as the fifth Apostle and helped to spread Christianity throughout Greece, Syria and Phrygia.
He appears three times by name in the New Testament and would have been with Jesus throughout his entire ministry. Call by Jesus with the words “follow me” Phillip follows, later bringing Nathaniel to Christ.
He was present at the miracle of the loaves and fishes, where Jesus turned to him asking where they will buy the bread to feed the crowd. It is because of this episode that St. Philip is often pictured with loaves of bread and is why he is known as the patron saint of bakers and cooks.
Philip was martyred in Hierapolis and his death occurred during the reign of Titus, the Roman emperor. He was sentenced to death because he converted the wife of the Roman Proconsul to Christianity. He was tortured, crucified and then stoned to death. St. Philip has a feast day on May 3.
