Philip the Deacon
Also called Philip the Evangelist because of his zealous preaching, Philip was one of the seven chosen to distribute alms in the Christian community at Jerusalem. He is thought to have been a Hellenized Jew, who like Stephen, preached in addition to fullfilling his duties as almoner, and to have been a native of the country, near Cæsaria, in which he later preached. After the death of Stephen, Philip travelled widely and baptized the Ethiopian eunuch and Simon Magus. Philip's four daughters, who had the gift of prophecy and travelled with him, are thought to have been present at the Pentecost. The five settled in Cæsaria, where they met Paul and Luke; Philip is thought to have ministered to Paul while he was imprisoned there. Jerome, who in 385 visited the house where Philip and his daughters were reported to have lived, says that Philip became bishop of Tralles. Tradition holds that he died peacefully.
Karen Rae Keck
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