The Apostle Philip was from Bethsaida and was among the first called by Jesus (John 1:44). While he appears multiple times in the Gospels, the most detailed accounts are provided by the Evangelist John. Philip brought Nathanael (also known as Bartholomew) to Christ, marking the beginning of their discipleship. During the miracle of feeding the multitude, Jesus tested Philip by asking how to provide food for the crowd. Philip replied, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough” (John 6:5-7). Later, when some Greeks wished to see Jesus, they approached Philip (John 12:21-22). At the Last Supper, Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us” (John 14:8-9), to which Jesus replied that those who had seen Him had also seen the Father.

According to tradition, Philip preached in Galilee, where he performed a miracle by raising a child from the dead. He then traveled through Greece, Syria, Asia Minor, Lydia, and Scythia—regions that, according to some sources, included present-day Ukraine. In the city of Hierapolis, legend recounts that Philip expelled a serpent from the temple of Mars, causing many, including the king’s son, to die from its venomous breath. However, the apostle resurrected the young man. This enraged the pagan priests, who crucified Philip. Eastern Christian tradition holds that he was crucified upside down, similar to the Apostle Peter.

Iconography
In Ukrainian iconography, Philip is frequently depicted in scenes involving the Twelve Apostles, such as in iconostasis panels, depictions of the Last Judgment, or festal compositions. Within the apostolic row, he is often shown as the farthest figure on the right. Philip is traditionally portrayed as youthful and clean-shaven (occasionally as gray-haired and bearded), holding a scroll or book. He is commonly dressed in a red tunic and a blue himation, although these colors are sometimes reversed.

From the 18th century, representations of Philip began to include symbols of martyrdom, such as a cross or a staff with a cross. By the 19th century, depictions often featured a T-shaped cross, sometimes accompanied by a dragon, symbolizing his victory over the serpent in apocryphal traditions.

Mykhailo Skop