¤ Saint Of The Day ¤

Today, we can choose from two saints, St. Philip, and St. James. Today’s post is about St. Philip. For St. James’ biography, visit this link. <<<<<<<

St. Philip, who was a native of Bethsaida in Galilee, was called by our LORD to follow Him the day after Sts. Peter and Andrew left their homes to follow Christ.
Tradition tells us that St. Philip was a married man with several daugthers. Like the other Apostles, St. Philip left all things to follow Christ. His name is mentioned frequently in the Holy Gospels.

After the Ascension of Our LORD Jesus, St. Philip preached the Gospel in Phrygia, whish was then a province of the Roman Empire.
It is believed that he was burned at the stake at Hierapolis in Phrygia.

LORD God, we enjoy celebrating the annual feast of Your Apostle St. Philip. Through his prayers let us share in the Passion and Resurrection of Your Son and help us merit Your eternal presence.
Amen.

St. Athanasius, the great champion of the Faith was born in Alexandria, around the year 296. Educated under the eye of Alexander, later Bishop of his native city, he made great progress in learning and virtue. In 311 the saint went to the desert to spend some time in retreat with St. Anthony.

In 319, he became a deacon, and even in this capacity he was called upon to take an active part against the rising heresy of Arius, a priest of the Alexandrian Church who denied the Divinity of Christ. This was to be the life struggle of St. Athanasius.

In 325, he assisted his Bishop at the Council of Nicaea, where his influence began to be felt. Five months later Alexander died. On his death bed he recommended St. Athanasiua as his successor. In consequence of this, Athanasius was unanimously elected Patriarch in 326.

His refusal to tolerate the Arian heresy was the cause of many trials and persecutions for St. Athanasius. He spent seventeen of the forty-six years of his episcopate in exile. After a life of virtue and suffering, this intrepid champion of the Catholic Faith, the greatest man of his time, died in peace on May 2, 373. Because her his both a Bishop and a doctor of the church, St. Athanasius is often depicted holding a scroll.

Father, You gave us St. Athanasius, Your Bishop, to defend the Divinity of Your Son. Grant that we may enjoy his teachinh and protection and grow continually in our knowledge and love of You.
Amen.