Most of us barely know the names of all twelve Apostles, let alone their individual backgrounds and life stories. Today, we celebrate the feast of two of these foundational followers of Christ. Let’s start learning about the Apostles, beginning with Philip and James today:
Philip was from Bethsaida, a town on the northeastern tip of the Sea of Galilee. He was a married man, and his two daughters were highly revered in the early Church.
Philip was the third Apostle chosen by Our Lord before He began His public ministry. After Andrew and Peter asked to follow Jesus (Jn 1:38), Our Lord went up into Galilee and sought out Philip. The Gospels mention this Apostle a few times, most notably his part in the Multiplication of the Loaves and his declaration to Jesus that they would be satisfied if Our Lord showed them the Father.
Little is known about his actions after the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord, although tradition recounts that his mission carried him to Hierapolis, in Phrygia, where he was martyred. By some accounts he was crucified upside down, and by others, stoned. His relics remained in Hierapolis for centuries—reportedly preserving the city from destruction on several occasions—until they were moved to Rome in the 6th century.
James the Less was a cousin of Our Lord’s—his mother was called the “sister” of the Virgin Mary, a term which meant any close relative. He is not often mentioned in the four Gospels, but in the Acts of the Apostles we find him playing a pivotal role in the councils of the early Church.
James was so holy that even the Jews called him “the Just.” He became the first bishop of Jerusalem and remained there to administer to the Church while the other Apostles carried the Light of Christ throughout the Roman empire.
In 62 A.D., in a scene similar to that of St. Stephen the Martyr, James was cast from the Temple wall and beaten to death. He was buried at the site of his martyrdom and his relics were removed to Rome in the 6th century. Since the two Apostles’ relics reached Rome on the same day and were interred in a basilica together, the Church celebrates their feasts jointly.
Why were these relics so significant to the Church? Why does she seem to have a fascination with relics in general? Relics: What They Are and Why They Matter provides the answers to every question about these revered bones of holy men and women, from their role in miracles to their presence in every altar. Carefully researched and masterfully written, this fascinating book will be an invaluable addition to your Catholic bookshelf. Pick it up today at The Catholic Company!
