St Philip and St James the Less, Apostles.
1st C. ~ Philip was born in Bethsaida, Northern Israel and is thought to have been one of St John the Baptist’s disciples and he was chosen by Jesus to be one of his apostles. Philip witnessed the miracle of the loaves and fishes and also he was with Jesus just before the Passion. He was one of the apostles present when the Holy Spirit descended on them in the upper room in Jerusalem. After this date, there is no more mention of him, but according to Greek legend, he preached in Greece and it is believed he was crucified as a martyr.
St James the Less shares this feast day with Philip. He is called “the Less” to distinguish him from James “the Great”. James was the son of Alpheus and Mary and he is thought to have been the first cousin of Jesus, but is sometimes referred to as “brother” of Jesus. He was the bishop of the Christians living in Jerusalem and one of Jesus’ apostles. With Philip and the other apostles, he was present in the upper room when they all experienced the Holy Spirit. James is said to have suffered a martyr’s death. Some historians say he was beaten or stoned to death, while other stories tell of him being thrown from the temple roof. A combination of the two may be true, in that, he was thrown from the roof, but on finding him still alive, he was clubbed to make sure he was dead.