St. Philip of Thrace – October 22nd
Philip was a bishop in the time of the Emperor Diocletian’s persecution of Christians. When the orders against Christians were first published in his city, many who loved him begged him to leave. But he would not even consider it. The door of his Church was sealed up first of all, so he held services outdoors in front of it. When the soldiers came to take the sacred vessels and the Holy Scriptures, he encouraged his Christian people to stand up bravely for the Faith, and nothing could frighten him away.
As the holy bishop was being taken to prison, some people in the watching mob pushed him down. Others admired the way he quietly picked himself up, smiling all the while. As he and his deacon Hermes entered the prison, their faces shone with joy. They even sang a hymn of thanksgiving!
To every command to offer sacrifice to the gods, Philip answered, “I am a Christian and cannot do that. You can punish our refusal, but you cannot make us do what you command.” The officer threatened to torture him, yet the Bishop said: “You may torment me, but you cannot conquer me. No power can make me sacrifice to the gods.”
And the rulers discovered he meant just what he said. No matter what they did to Saints Philip and Hermes, they would not give up the Faith. On the contrary, as they were being led out to execution, Hermes joyfully said to his Bishop: “Let us hurry to go to the Lord!”
In imitation of these heroic martyrs, I will offer up little sacrifices for love of Our Lord.
