Collections of SaintsAn apostle from Bethsaida who brings Nathanael to Jesus and asks an important question about the Father.
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John 1:43–46 describes Jesus calling Philip, a native of Bethsaida. Philip finds Nathanael and invites him to see for himself. The invitation makes room for an encounter rather than merely accepting someone else’s opinion about the Teacher.
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John 6:5–7 presents Jesus asking Philip about buying food for the crowd. Philip calculates the cost. His response highlights the limits of ordinary calculation before the feeding narrative unfolds.
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In John 14:8–11, Philip asks Jesus to show the Father. Jesus’s answer connects knowing him with knowing the Father. One disciple’s question becomes an occasion for teaching beyond Philip’s immediate concern.
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Acts 1:13 names Philip among the apostles. The Philip preaching in Samaria and baptising the Ethiopian official in Acts 8 is identified in the USCCB notes as one of the Seven, not this apostle. The two figures’ itineraries should not simply be merged.
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Church tradition links Philip’s martyrdom with Hierapolis. The Roman basilica’s altarpiece depicts crucifixion; this detail is presented as artistic tradition. Santi XII Apostoli’s crypt reports some bones attributed to him alongside James the Lesser, without settling the apostle’s death year.
Basilica Santi XII ApostoliBasilica Santi XII ApostoliRead in context ↓John 1:43–46 describes Jesus calling Philip, a native of Bethsaida. Philip finds Nathanael and invites him to see for himself. The invitation makes room for an encounter rather than merely accepting someone else’s opinion about the Teacher.
USCCBJohn 6:5–7 presents Jesus asking Philip about buying food for the crowd. Philip calculates the cost. His response highlights the limits of ordinary calculation before the feeding narrative unfolds.
USCCBIn John 14:8–11, Philip asks Jesus to show the Father. Jesus’s answer connects knowing him with knowing the Father. One disciple’s question becomes an occasion for teaching beyond Philip’s immediate concern.
USCCBThe Holy SeeActs 1:13 names Philip among the apostles. The Philip preaching in Samaria and baptising the Ethiopian official in Acts 8 is identified in the USCCB notes as one of the Seven, not this apostle. The two figures’ itineraries should not simply be merged.
USCCBUSCCBChurch tradition links Philip’s martyrdom with Hierapolis. The Roman basilica’s altarpiece depicts crucifixion; this detail is presented as artistic tradition. Santi XII Apostoli’s crypt reports some bones attributed to him alongside James the Lesser, without settling the apostle’s death year.
Basilica Santi XII ApostoliBasilica Santi XII ApostoliPhilip the apostle must be distinguished from Philip the evangelist in Acts 8. Hierapolis traditions sometimes conflate them. A church painting’s martyrdom scene represents iconographic tradition, not contemporary proof.
These attributions follow site custodians, not biological testing of identity. The locations are a selection, not an inventory of all fragments.
The façade of the Basilica of Santi XII Apostoli in Rome. Its crypt is the devotional location for relics attributed to Philip and James son of Alphaeus.
Sailko · CC BY 3.0 · Photo source · 17 July 2015 · Resized and converted to WebP.The basilica reports that its crypt contains some bones attributed to Philip and James the Lesser. Its custodian describes excavations in 1873 and reinstallation on 1 May 1879. The basilica’s name does not mean that it holds the remains of all twelve apostles.
Basilica Santi XII ApostoliSources checked: 2 October 2026
View place →Sources checked: 2 October 2026
Artistic illustrationJames’s brother, seen beside Peter in the early mission. Tradition connects him with the beloved disciple and the Church’s memory at Ephesus.
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Artistic illustrationA name in the lists of the Twelve. Tradition identifies him with Nathanael, but Scripture does not explicitly make that identification.
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Artistic illustrationA disciple who asks questions, is willing to face danger and confesses the risen Jesus. Indian tradition extends the memory of his mission.
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