If John was the gentlest apostle, Phillip was the least gentle, despite their opposite personalities; the traditions say they worked well together. The traditions about Phillip are rich and numerous including a gospel written by Phillip, a letter from Peter and a display of a fiery temper. For the most part, his traditions are collected in The Acts of Phillip which originally had 15 tales, four have been lost.

Phillip was on his way from Galilee when he came upon a woman who was carrying her dead son for burial. Phillip asked “Why isn’t anyone helping you?”

“This was my only son, and I am a widow. This is all that I have and I don’t understand why my fate is so bad. I have spent all the money we had to ask the gods, but I think they are sleeping. I even went to a psychic who was worthless”

“I am not surprised. The devil is quite a deceiver. I can show you how to get over it, believe in Jesus and by his name your son will be restored”

They spoke for a long time, Phillip explained who Jesus was, and why only belief was needed and belief alone would be more comforting than her lost family. She spoke “It would have been much better if I never married, and better if I lived on bread and water only”.

“I do now believe in this Jesus that you preach.” Phillip restored her son, sitting up the son asked “What was this light? Why did the angel release me from the prison of judgment? Oh the torments that I saw, I can’t even say some of the things I saw in hell.”

Confronting Ananias

Phillip moved to Greece living in Hellas, part of Athens. There his only belongings were an overcoat and a plain simple tunic looking very much like a wandering ascetic. At the time there were many philosophers in Athens living with little or no personal belongings. When he came to the city the philosophers took notice of him, asked him “You dress like us, you act like us, but we don’t know you. Why don’t you come join with us?” Phillip accepted their offer, spent some time with them and learned their ways.

The leader of the group finally asked Phillip “So, now you learned all that we have to offer. Do you have anything to offer? If so, we would really like to learn something new.”

“You will have to cast away the old man first. My lord said ‘You can’t put new wine into old wine sacks.’ But I am glad that you asked me teach you something new, because my lord’s teachings are new” The leader asked “Who is your Lord?”

“This is new. Come back in three days, we will see what we can learn on our own” Phillip left the philosophers. The talked among themselves and recalling that Phillip was Jewish sent for the high priest through a letter:

Greetings. We have among us a man named Phillip from the tribe of [???], a Jew. He speaks to us about a holy man Jesus. Phillip states that this Jesus is the Son of the Creator, empowered to work miracles, raise the dead, and that all peoples are can commune with this Creator. This seems at odds with the teachings of the Jews, or is there a new teaching that we have not heard of?

When Ananias read the letter he went into a fury, tearing at his clothes screaming out “Is that deceiver now in Athens?” He became possessed by Mansemat (one of Satan’s chief demons mentioned in 1 Enoch 40:7, his role is to accuse humans of failing God’s Law). The lawyers and Pharisees were summoned to discuss how to handle this new crisis. They responded that he should take 500 men and go destroy Phillip “at all costs”. Immediately, the men were brought together and went to Greece.

Ananais and the men arrived in Greece and were directed to Phillip’s house. At the house they called out “You! Sorcerer and wizard, I know who you are! Yes the one that your master the deceiver called ‘son of thunder’! Wasn’t Judea enough for you? But now you come even to Greece to deceive?”

Phillip calmly replied “Let the blindness of unbelief be taken from you Ananaias, so that you can learn who is the deceiver, you or me”

Ananias turned to address the crowd, “People of Athens, let me explain this Phillip to you. His master, this Jesus, a sorcerer who deceived many in Jerusalem was crucified. This Phillip and the other disciples stole his body, and had the audacity to proclaim that this Jesus was ‘restored’ to life. This Jesus destroyed the Law of our ancestors, allowing all meats to be eaten and other wrongs, and his followers still break the Laws throughout the world. I am here to arrest Phillip, return him to Jerusalem because King Archelaus has a price on his head”

The crowd who had come to know Phillip as a gentle holy man did not stir, instead they waited anxiously for Phillip’s reply. “I will appeal to my God” Infuriated by the lack of response, Anianias smacked Phillip across the face. Phillip hardly took notice, but Ananias noticed that his hand became numb and unable to be moved, his eyesight began to fade, he turned in desperation to his 500 men, they too were losing their sight. Within minutes all were blind.

Phillip watched the frightened men panic, some begged Phillip to rescind the curse. After a few moments he began to pray out loud “O weak nature! O bitter sea! Come Jesus! The holy light, you don’t forget us when we cry out to you…”

Ananias interrupted with a more arrogant tone “Philip, do you think to turn us from the ways of our fathers, the God who gave us manna in the wilderness? Turn us from the ways of Moses to follow a Nazarene – this Jesus?”

“I ask my God to make him known to all of you. Maybe then you will believe? If not, a wonder will come over you. Almighty, send us your Son”

The heavens opened and Jesus came with a light brighter than seven sons, his radiant clothes whiter than snow. The idols of Athens fell and the devils within them ran away. Phillip spoke to Ananias “Hear them? Hear those devils? And yet you still don’t believe?”

Defiantly Ananias cried out “I have no God except he that gave us manna in the wilderness”

Phillip shook his head. “There is no envy in us, to you all, the grace of Christ restore your sight, but first let the high priest see”

From the heavens a voice was heard “Phillip, once a son of thunder, but now of meekness, ask of my father and it will be done for you” causing the people to panic to the point of hysteria. “In the name of Christ, Ananias I command you to see!”

Ananias, bewildered, was still defiant and snarled at Phillip “What great magic this Jesus can do! Phillip has blinded me for only a few moments, hardly convincing!”

The 500 men, still blind, and much panicked, began yelling at Ananias to stop harassing Phillip that they might have their sight back. They yelled out in their blindness “Phillip, Phillip, we do believe, restore us our sight and we will kill the unbeliever”

Anianas now began to panic; Phillip spoke “No, we will not give evil for evil. As for you Ananias, there will be a great sign to be shown in you”

“I know your tricks and magic, a disciple of that wizard Jesus, you can not bewitch me!”

Looking towards the heavens, Phillip cried out in Hebrew “Zabarthan, sabathabat, bramanouch” at his command the earth split open taking Ananias in to his knees.

Trapped in the earth up to his knees Ananias sarcastically announced “This is really magic that the earth split when you commanded it so in Hebrew. So there are hooks pulling at my legs to make me believe, but I will not, because this is witchcraft!”

Phillip sat down, crossed his legs, rested his chin on his hands, sighed “Ok, take him to the middle” The ground rumbled and Ananias sunk lower. Unfazed, Ananias said “One foot is cold, one is hot, but still I will not be persuaded by sorcery”

The 500 men, still blind, started to throw rocks in Anaias’ direction hoping to stone him. Phillip called for them to stop, “This is for your salvation, if he repents, I will bring him up, if not, then he will be swallowed into the deep” He spread out his hands to the blinded men, “Let it be!” and the men began to regain their sight. They calmed from their panic and gave praises of thanks.

“Ananias,” Phillip continued “believe now with a pure heart that Jesus is Lord, and you will be saved like these men.” Ananias spit to the ground and laughed at Phillip.

“So it is. Take him to the neck now” The ground rumbled at Phillip’s command and swallowed him so that only his head was above the ground. The afternoon labored on, Ananias remaining defiant, and Phillip speaking with the crowd.

A man pushed his way through the crowd, reaching Phillip he blurted out “A devil has attached my son saying ‘The people have let a stranger come to the city, he destroys the idols, what can I do except kill your son in revenge?’ Please help me, I do so believe”

In minutes the man returned carrying the dead son, helped by his servants. “My son my son, he was only 23 years old” and began to cry uncontrollably. Phillip turned to Ananias, “This is because of you, if I raise him, will you yet believe?”

“Your magic may be powerful enough to raise him, but it isn’t powerful enough to make me believe”

Phillip was angered, “Catathema! [meaning ‘Cursed thing!’] I command that you go down into the abyss!” A great rumbling swallowed the priest fully, his priestly robe flew away. Where it is today no one knows.

After a pause, Phillip turned to the dead son, commanded that he rise and serve the Lord. The son rose up and the crowd cheered. With the people, Phillip built a church and remained in Athens for two more years, traveling to Parthia (modern day Turkey and Iran, see Maps - Parthia).

In Parthia Phillip came to meet with Peter and his disciples. After greetings Phillip asked “Peter, I pray that you strengthen me, so that I can preach like you”[1] Graciously Peter and his disciples prayed over Phillip. Together Peter and Phillip went to meet with John who was also in the city.

John explained that Andrew was in Achaia and Thrace (modern day Greece), Thomas had been to India and traveled among the wicked flesh eaters. [what place is this?] Matthew has gone to the savage Ethiopians.” He looked closely at Phillip, with a wink said “and don’t you be taking it easy, because we all see that Jesus is with you”. After they finished talking, Phillip went on his way to the Cadaci.

The text refers to the Ethiopians by the phrase “troglodytes”, a rather derogatory term. According to Herodotus (a famous historian) the troglodytes were an especially foul tribe of Ethiopians who “The Troglodytes feed on serpents, lizards, and other similar reptiles. Their language is unlike that of any other people; it sounds like the screeching of bats.”[2] As for “the Candaci”, most references say it is the outlying areas of the territories ruled by the Queens of Ethiopia; much like saying “going to the land of the Caesar”, and this territory could have extended to the Saudi Peninsula.

In the Candaci, Phillip wanted to return to Palestine, and found a ship going to Ashod (“Azotus”). Along the route to Palestine a terrible storm came, the seasoned sailors were certain they would not survive and began saying their final good-byes. Phillip stood up “Not even the ship will be lost! Take heart!” He leaned over the prow commanding the sea “Sea! Sea! Jesus Christ by me his servant bids you to be still” The Sea calmed as commanded. Phillip told the sailors “Forget about the cares of this life, serve the Lord” in their gratitude they willingly became Christians.

Arrivial at Ashod

The remainder of the trip was uneventful. In Ashod Phillip performed miracles and converted many people to Christianity. Despite his miracles and numerous followers there were some people who spoke badly of him accusing Phillip of destroying marriages, of being a sorcerer and promoting chastity.

One night Phillip was seeking a place to stay for a night and went to Nicolcliedes a well known hotel keeper. The innkeeper was kind to Phillip who prayed for a blessing on the house, his daughter overheard the prayer.

Later that night, as Nicolcliedes was retiring for the night, he heard his daughter Charitine crying. “What is it child? Why are you crying?”

“I can’t stand the teasing any more. Why do they tease me non stop?” She was referring to the tumor on her eye. Her father hugged the girl, “I know, I’ve already called the King’s own doctor Leucius, he couldn’t do anything. We had Elides the Queen’s caretaker[3], even her attendant Solgia personally come out. Nothing, they couldn’t do anything for us.”

Not wanting to see his daughter suffer, Nicolcliedes got up and looked for the new stranger.

Finding Phillip the innkeeper asked “Are you the doctor that my daughter speaks of?”

“Jesus is the physician that you seek, he is my teacher. Let’s go see your daughter”

When they came to the house Charitine stopped her crying and threw herself at Phillips feet “I know that you can help me, I will do anything for your help”, turning to her father “Dad, please let him do his work. Oh sir, I will be forever chaste to serve your Lord”

Phillip spoke warmly to Charitine, then instructed her to place her right hand on her own face, “Charitine, repeat after me ‘In the name of Jesus Christ let my eye be healed’” She did, and by her faith she was healed.

Returns to Greece

[Acts of Phillip Sec 5, verse 45] After teaching for sometime in Ashod, Phillip gained many disciples. When there were enough disciples to carry on the mission, Phillip gathered them and declared that he was going to Nicatera, a city in Greece. They wished him well, and Phillip departed.

Phillip’s reputation arrived before he did, leaders spoke to each other “What will we do with him? He has the nerve to say that husbands and wives should be separate! Tell you what, lets not even allow him to set foot in this city!” They plotted schemes of violence against Phillip.

One of the leaders, a Jewish man Ireus spoke, “Why waste force on him? Let’s test his teachings in public.” Ireus was a wealthy man, he could easily have paid bribes to have Phillip arrested or worse, but, Ireus was an honest man who really wanted to quiet these men.

Secretly, Ireus went to meet Phillip to see what could be done to prevent a clash with the other leader’s plans. Phillip looked knowingly at Ireus, “You have spoken in favor of me, you have spoken favorably for the Lord, because you have stood up you will gain salvation.”

Ireus was astonished, he hadn’t said anything about his intentions to Phillip, or anyone for that matter. “You surprise me because you know without my saying”

“Please Phillip, stay at my home. You are truly an amazing man. Come, we will make you a very comfortable guest.”

With the conversation finished, Phillip turned and went home. Ireus, bewildered, went to his own house. Nerkela asked him “I hear you were able to hold off the council today from arresting that sorcerer.”

Ireus laughed, “Not only that, but I asked him to come stay with us – the sorcerer”

“Oh? Well I wouldn’t have that man stay in this house – he is a home wrecker! I have heard. If he does come here, I will leave. I’ll go back to my parents, take my dowry, and the servants. Hear me Ireus, we have been married four years and I have never ever contradicted you, but, he will not come in this house!”

Ireus tried to console her “Please. Please, be patient, listen to him, you will also come to believe”

“Enough of this. Get up, eat all you can, and laugh all night, but you will not fool me!”

“Eat? How can I eat when that man of God is hungry? There is no reason to be so worked up, he is a man of God, very gentle and easy going.”

“Oh, a man of God you say? Is he made of marble, or perhaps gold? Like any other god in this city?”

Ireus went to bring Phillip, who already knew what happened and was standing ready to go with him. Word of Phillip’s acceptance reached the leaders, who decided that Phillip should not be permitted to stay within the city walls.

When they had reached the house, Ireus called out to his porter to open the gate, blessed the porter and the house with “Peace be to this house”

“Phillip, please be comfortable, I will get Nerkela” Ireus excused himself and found Nerkela in the bedroom putting on her finest clothes. “Wait, no, not those clothes, something simple. Yes, something simple and plain, that would be best.” She became angered, “What? No one in this house has ever seen me wear simple clothes! I should welcome a guest wearing rags?”

He eturned to his guest bringing his finest gold threaded chairs and placed them in front of Phillip “Sit. Please be comfortable”

Phillip replied “I grieve no one, but what am I going to do with gold? It passes away”

“Yes, Jesus is able to save you. And what about your wife, didn’t she just tell you to leave?”

Scornfully she retorted “And what will come of our children if we were to give up our worldly selves?” she called out for her daughter “Artemela! Artemela come here”

The daughter came quickly, “Artemela, if your father and I were to join this ‘new life’ in heaven, as the guest is inviting, how would you manage?”

“The guest? He is inviting you and father to join in heaven? If you were to enter a new life why couldn’t I come too?” she asked. Her question was poignant; its honesty removed the bite of her sarcasm. Now Nerkela was beginning to understand. She quickly dressed in simple clothing.

Nerkela and the family came out to greet Phillip; they saw him shining with a brilliant light and were afraid. When he noticed them Phillip stopped and returned to his normal appearance welcoming them to their new life as believers.

Problems in the Synagouge

Phillip stayed comfortably in Ireus house until word of Ireus conversion spread through the town. Without warning seven men approached the residence and demanded that Ireus send Phillip out of the house. “What do you men want?”

“Phillip. The city council has assembled publicly and wants to hear from Phillip”

“The whole city you say? Ok, lets go”, and Phillip went along to the assembly. The city leaders looked displeasingly at Phillip’s modest attire. Onesimus stood up, directed himself to Aristarchus the Council leader “Council let us hear how this sorcerer deceives us?”

Ireus grew agitated “Why am I being examined like this? Do not bother Phillip. He is my guest in my house”

“You are out of order. Guards, remove Ireus” Aristarchus ordered. As the guards came to escort Ireus he asked Phillip “Are you afraid?”

“No” Ireus looked around the room saw that the council and the guards now stood with swords drawn expecting Phillip to make a commotion. Ireus was overpowered and submitted to being removed from the chambers without incident.

“Take him outside and beat him. Let him understand what we feel about his teachings!”

Ireus turned and ran towards Phillip “NO! You will NOT”, he grabbed Phillip and tried to run for an exit. Phillip stopped him, and turned to Aristarchus. He walked to the prominent leader, a Jewish man from a prominent family, walked up to him. They stood face to face glaring at each other. Phillip spoke first “If I choose, I can blind you, Aristarchus son of Plegenes”

Aristarchus, a leader of the Jewish community replied “Don’t be in such a hurry to blind us. I know you can. But let’s not forget my power.” He grabbed Phillip’s beard “If I choose they will stone you.”

Phillip snarled “Don’t you ever touch me again. Your hand, your ears and your right eye will suffer for making threats to me, and for insulting God” And so it was done, Artsarchus’ eye became hollow and blind, the ears pained him unbearable, and the right hand withered. Aristarchus begged for mercy, the council demanded that Phillip heal the chief.

“Ireus”, Phillip called, “go to him and with the sign of the cross heal in the name of Jesus” Aristarchus asked for pardon and wanted to leave the discussion for another day. The assembly of the people refused saying “We will judge for ourselves”

Philip smiled and gestured that Aristarchus go first. He said: “Do you accept the prophets or not?”

Philip quipped “Because you don’t believe in the first place you have no need of the prophets.” Ignoring the comment Aristarchus continued “Let me refresh your memory, in scripture it is written: ‘Who shall declare thy might, O God?’, ‘No man can know thy glory’, ‘Thy glory hath filled the earth’” and continued quoting more scripture. Phillip was not engaging the priest. The priest paused, then changed his approach “Tell me, if your master is, I dare say the son of God, how then say you that this ‘Mary’ bore Jesus?”. He did not wait for Phillip to reply, he waved his hands around in mockery of Phillip “Wait wait, you will say ‘he is the power and wisdom of God who was with him when he made the world’ I do not deny that the first Scripture says: ‘Let us make man’ but this is not the same thing. Philip smiled, enjoying Aristarchus’ theatrics and said: “Listen up everyone, Isaiah said, ‘Behold my servant whom I have chosen’ . . . . And of the cross ‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter’, ‘I gave my back to the scourger’. And another ‘I spread out my hands to a disobedient people’, ‘I was found of them that sought me not’ David said ‘Thou art my son’ And of his resurrection and Judas: ‘Lord, why are they increased that trouble me’ And also ‘I foresaw the Lord always before me’. But David is dead, Jesus lives. What do the twelve prophets have to say? ‘Say unto the daughter of Sion ‘Out of Egypt have I called my son.’

Aristarchus said ‘This Jesus is called Christ. Isaiah writes ‘Thus saith the Lord unto Christ my lord’ The Jews in the crowd were shocked and confused, one called out ‘You are arguing for Christ!’. The people and rulers heard enough and ended the debate acknowledging Philip had won the debate. The crowd was beginning to break up but a funeral procession passed.

There were ten slaves carrying a dead man who was the only son of a rich man. As customary the slaves were to be burned with the corpse. One of the students announced out loud “Here is a great contest for the Christians. If their God can raise this dead man, then we will believe, in fact we will go through the city and burn all the idols!” Phillip was unmoved by the heckler, he went to the parents of the dead son and asked them “What will you do if I raise him?’

In their grief they immediately answered without thought “We will do whatever you ask” The slaves made signs to Phillip so that his proposition would also take them into consideration. They were very scared knowing that the law of the land permiited their burning. Philip said to the parents, “Give me these slaves”.

Phillip turned to Aristarchus “Come, Priest of the Jews, raise him.” Aristarchus touched his face and spat much on him and pulled his hand. With no signs he gave up. The father of the son stumbled to Phillip “I am Nereus, his father, Raise my son and I will fight the Jews with their lies!”

Philip went to the body and prayed, and breath entered into the body. Theophilus opened his eyes and looked at Philip.

Phillip yelled out loud “Young man, in the name of Jesus Christ who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, rise and walk!”

The son jumped up and embraced his parents. True to their word the parents gave the slaves to Phillip. “Believe in Jesus, he sets us all free!” and made the slaves free.

Building of a church

Ireus and Nereus talked about building a church as a sign of their generosity and dedication to their new faith. They decided to build it using Nereus’ property. When the building was completed, Philip was invited to new building. On that day he made Ireus bishop, prayed over him, and announced to the congregation that he was going away. Despite their disappointment, they graciously helped Phillip prepare. Some members loaded camels with provisions and followed him. When Phillip reached 20 stadia he told them to return home, and take the provisions with them as would take only take five loaves. They all saluted him proudly, then fell on their faces and prayed for his blessing.

Travels with Marieme, John and Bartholomew

[This tale is part of the same collection above, but it is obviously of a different chronological order.]

Before Jesus ascended into heaven he told the Apostles where they would each go. Phillip was directed to preach to the Greeks, being a Greek man himself, but he became very worried that he might be unable to fulfill his orders. His sister, Maraimme[4] went to Jesus and asked “Lord, don’t you see how upset my brother is?”

“I know. You chosen among the women, go with him Encourage him. I know he has a bad temper, and if he goes alone can be quite vengeful. Don’t worry, I will also send Bartholemew and John to help. You will all need it, there is serious evil there. In fact, they are snake worshippers, worshipping ‘the mother of snakes’” Jesus continued “Change your dress, look more ‘manly’, and go with Phillip”[5]

Jesus turned his attention, “Phillip, What makes you so fearful? You know I am always with you.”

As ordered they began their journey to Ophiani [where is this] One day they were passing through a wilderness known to have wild beasts and dragons lurking about. Despite their wariness a leopard leaped out of the bushes, ran at Phillip, and before the travelers could react, the beast threw itself down at his feet. Shocked they all stood still. The leopard raised its head and sang out in a human voice “I worship you! You the servants of the almighty! You the apostles of the only-begotten son! Command me to speak as perfect as you – and it will be done!”

The leopard sat up and began to converse, “Listen Phillip, the Groom of the Word. Last night I attacked a lamb and dragged it to the forest where I could eat it. This is the forest you must be wary of, it’s the domain of the she-dragon, the mother of all serpents – her den is in that mountain.” The group looked anxiously at the mountain in the distance.

“Anyway,” continued the leopard, “As I was about to eat it, the kid spoke. It spoke in a human voice, sounded like a small child, and was crying pitifully. It said to me ‘O leopard, please, change your heart, forget your beastliness. Be gentle, I tell you that the apostles of the Almighty are coming through these lands. They are here to perfectly accomplish the promised glory of the only begotten son!”

The leopard had a puzzled look on his face, and continued to tell the story “The kid made me wonder. I kept my paws on her, but, my heart did slowly change. I thought about her words all night long, and then I decided not to eat her. I let her go, and that’s when I saw you, and it was clear to me that you are the people she was talking about. So immediately rushed over to worship you”

“Now, please, I beg that you will allow me to come with you everywhere so that I too may serve, and please cast away my beastliness”

Phillip spoke to Barthelemew “Now that the attacker is healed, let’s go heal the victim”. The leopard lead them to where the kid lain. They found her and carried her back to the others. Phillip began to pray aloud “Now we have learned a truth, that nothing surpasses your compassion O Jesus, benefactor of all men. It is you that prevents us and does convince us, by these creatures to believe deeper and with more passion. Lord Jesus Christ, come grant life, breath and security to these creatures so that they pass on their beastly nature and become tame. Grant that they no longer eat flesh, or the kid to eat the food of cattle. Grant them to have men’s heart, follow us where we go, eat as we eat, give glory as we, and that they speak to man in their tongue.” There and then the leopard and lamb sat up on their haunches, raising their paws to heaven speaking “We glorify you, we bless you and thank you for visiting and remembering us. Thank you for taking away our beastly self and given us the divine word, and thank you for making us speak. Great is your glory!” They fell down and worshipped Phillip, Bartholemew and Mariame.

Out of the Mist

Together with the two animals, the three continued their journey. On the fifth night, after finishing the midnight prayers, a deep and ominous rumbling rouse the travelers. The sound grew louder, out of the mist a huge black dragon appeared. Still off in the distance, the full moon showed her immense size stomping steadily closer. Her proud underside shimmered like brass, body some 100 foot long. Behind her were an army of snakes and other lizards, she continued towards the travelers. Phillip barked orders “Now is a good time to remember the Lord’s words ‘Fear Nothing, neither persecution, serpents, or the dark dragon’ Stand together! I have a plan – First we pray, then sprinkle the air from the Cup and the smoke that hides her will vanish.” As requested they took the cup and prayed loudly “You that makes dew fall on burning pyres, you that vanquishes the dark, we call upon you who saddles the evil, you who turns back the wickedness and plunges the enemy onto his own fire, you who stops all his retreats, we call on you to join us in our hour of need”

Phillip concluded the prayer calling out to the travelers, “Stand! Raise your hands, with the cup that you hold – now, sprinkle the air in the form of the cross!”

A flash of lightning blinded the on-coming dragon, causing her to rampage in circles trampling her minions. On fire the dragon wailed in great agony, spitting out her own fire and killing all of her followers. She ran to her lair, but the lightning bolt was too strong, in moments she lie dead. The thunderous roar shattered her eggs in their lair, but the believers were not harmed.

The Martyrdom of Phillip

107 (Introductory.) In the days of Trajan, after the Martyrdom of Simon, son of Clopas, bishop of Jerusalem, successor to James, Philip the apostle was preaching through all the cities of Lydia and Asia. 108 And he came to the city Ophioryme (Snake street), which is called Hierapolis of Asia, and was received by Stachys, a believer. And with him were Bartholomew, one of the Seventy, and his sister Mariamne, and their disciples. And they assembled at Stachys' house. 109 And Mariamne sat and listened to Philip discoursing. 110-112 He spoke of the snares of the dragon, who has 'no shape' in creation, and is recognized and shunned by beasts and birds. 113 For the men of the place worshipped the snake and had images of it, and called Hierapolis Ophioryme. And many were converted. 114 And Nicanora the proconsul's wife believed, she was diseased, especially in her eyes, and had been healed. She now came in a silver litter. 115 And Mariamne said in Hebrew: Alikaman, ikasame, marmari, iachaman, mastranan, achaman, which means: O daughter of the father, my lady, who wast given as a pledge to the serpent, Christ is come to thee (and much more). 116 And Nicanora said: I am a Hebrew, speak to me in my fathers' tongue. I heard of your preaching and was healed. 117 And they prayed for her. 118 But her tyrant husband came and said: How is this? who has healed you? 119 And she said: Depart from me, and lead a chaste and sober life. 120 And he dragged her by the hair and threatened to kill her. And the apostles were arrested, 121 and scourged and dragged to the temple, 122 and shut up in it (with the leopard and the kid. These are omitted in the principal text, but constantly occur in another recension: rightly, of course). 123 The people and priests came and demanded vengeance on the sorcerers. 124 The proconsul was afraid of his wife, for he had been almost blinded by a wonderful light when he looked through the window at her when praying. 125 They stripped and searched the apostles for charms, and pierced Philip's ankles and thighs and hung him head downward, and Bartholomew they hung naked by the hair. 126 And they smiled on each other, as not being tormented. But Mariamne on being stripped became like an ark of glass full of light and fire and every one ran away. 127 And Philip and Bartholomew talked in Hebrew, and Philip said: Shall we call down fire from heaven? 128 And now John arrived, and asked what was happening, and the people told him. 129 And he was taken to the place. Philip said to Bartholomew in Hebrew: Here is John the son of Barega (or, he that is in Barek), that is (or, where is) the living water. And John said: The mystery of him that hanged between the heaven and the earth be with you.

130 Then John addressed the people, warning them against the serpent. Inter alia: When all matter was wrought and spread out throughout the system of heaven, the works of God entreated God that they might see his glory: and when they saw it, their desire became gall and bitterness, and the earth became the storehouse of that which went astray, and the result and the superfluity of the creation was gathered together and became like an egg: and the serpent was born.

131 The people said: We took you for a fellow citizen, but you are in league with these men. The priests are going to wring out your blood and mix it with wine and give it to the Viper. When they came to take John their hands were paralysed. John said to Philip: Let us not render evil for evil. Philip said: I shall endure it no longer. 132 The three others dissuaded him; but he said: Abalo, arimouni, douthael, tharseleen, nachaoth, aeidounaph, teleteloein, which is (after many invocations descriptive of God): let the deep open and swallow these men: yea, Sabaoth. 133 It opened and the whole place was swallowed, about 7,000 men, save where the apostles were. And their voices came up, crying for mercy and saying: Lo, the cross enlighteneth us. And a voice was heard: I will have mercy on you in my cross of light. 134 But Stachys and his house, and Nicanora and 50 others, and 100 virgins remained safe. 135 Jesus appeared and rebuked Philip. 136 But he defended himself. 137 And the Lord said: Since you have been unforgiving and wrathful, you shall indeed die in glory and be taken by angels to paradise, but shall remain outside it forty days, in fear of the flaming sword, and then I will send Michael and he shall let you in. And Bartholomew shall go to Lycaonia and be crucified there, and Mariamne's body shall be laid up in the river Jordan. And I shall bring back those who have been swallowed up. 138 And he drew a cross in the air, reaching down into the abyss, and it was filled with light, and the cross was like a ladder. And Jesus called the people, and they all came up, save the proconsul and the Viper And seeing the apostles they mourned and repented. 139 And Philip, still hanging, spoke to them and told them of his offense 140 And some ran to take him down: but he refused and spoke to them . . . . " Be not grieved that I hang thus, for I bear the form (type) of the first man, who was brought upon earth head downwards, and again by the tree of the cross made alive from the death of his transgression. And now do I fulfil the precept. For the Lord said to me: Unless ye make that which is beneath to be above, and the left to be right (and the right left), ye shall not enter into my kingdom. Be like me in this: for all the world is turned the wrong way, and every soul that is in it." 141 Further he spoke to them of the incarnation, 142 and bade them loose Bartholomew, and told him and Mariamne of their destiny. Build a church in the place where I die, and let the leopard and kid be there, and let Nicanora look after them till they die, and then bury them at the church gate: and let your peace be in the house of Stachys: and he exhorted them to purity. "Therefore our brother Peter fled from every place where a woman was: and further, he had offense given by reason of his own daughter. And he prayed the Lord, and she had a palsy of the side that she might not be led astray." 143 Bury me not in linen like the Lord, but in papyrus, and pray for me forty days. Where my blood is dropping a vine will grow, and ye shall use the wine of it for the cup: and partake of it on the third day. 144 And he prayed the Lord to receive him, and protect him against all enemies. "Let not their dark air cover me, that I may pass the waters of fire and all the abyss. Clothe me in thy glorious robe and thy seal of light that ever shineth, until I have passed by all the rulers of the world and the evil dragon that opposeth us." 145 And he died. 146 And they buried him as he directed. And a heavenly voice said he had received the crown.

147 After three days the vine grew Up. And they made the offering daily for forty days, and built the church and made Stachys bishop. And all the city believed. 148 And at the end of forty days the Saviour appeared in the form of Philip and told Bartholomew and Mariamne that he had entered paradise, and bade them go their ways. And Bartholomew went to Lycaonia and Mariamne to Jordan, and Stachys and the brethren abode where they were.

[1] See similar comments by Andrew to Peter in the Introductory section of Andrew above

[2] Herodotus: The Histories, Book IV. page168-198

[3] “Eunuch” according to the text

[4] The text explains “it was she that made ready the bread and salt at the breaking of bread, but Martha was she that ministered to the multitudes and laboured much”

[5] The text reads “And do thou change thy woman's aspect and go with Philip

Andrew	James	John	Jude Thaddeus	Peter	Phillip	Thomas (todo)	Simon the Zealot
Matthew (todo)	Jude (todo)	Judas (todo)	Bartholomew (todo)	Mary	Joseph	Nathaniel (todo)

Philip

Phillip Raises a Dead Man