that they would stone James the Just, and casting him down from the Temple, they then stoned him, whilst he repeated the words of his Lord and Saviour, "O Lord God and Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do ;" and finally they struck him on the head with a fuller's club. This event took place A.D. 62, during the Procuratorship of Albinus, successor to Festus, when it is believed that St. James had reached the advanced age of ninety-four years. The Festival of St. James the Less is on the 1st of May; the same day on which is commemorated the Martyrdom of St. Philip. St. James the Less is represented in Ecclesiastical paintings, carrying a Fuller's Club, which was the instrument of his martyrdom; and he is also occasionally represented wearing a mitre, as emblematic of his bishopric. 3 Eusebius, Eccles. Hist. Collect for the Festival of St. James the Less and St. Philip. O Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life; Grant us perfectly to know Thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that following the steps of Thy holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE. ST. PHILIP was born at Bethsaida in Galilee, a town on the Lake of Tiberias. He is mentioned in Holy Scripture as being the third Apostle who recognized our Lord as the Messiah; and the first whom our Lord personally selected to call to the Apostolate, and commanded to ↑ John i. 44; ii. 20. Philip "follow Him";" after which 66 findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph"." St. Philip is again mentioned in Holy Scripture when he asked to be "shown the Father;" and is rebuked by our Lord for not knowing that "he that had seen Him, had seen the Father"." We learn from Ecclesiastical History that St. Philip preached the Gospel in Upper Asia; and that towards the latter part of his life, he travelled into Phrygia, where he suffered martyrdom at Hierapolis, by being whipped and scourged, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 52, being the second of the Apostles who suffered martyrdom. The Festival of St. Philip is on the 1st of May; the same day on which is commemorated the Martyrdom of St. James the Less. 5 John i. 43. 6 John i. 45. 7 John xiv. 8, 9. St. Philip is usually represented in Ecclesiastical paintings carrying a Staff, the end of which forms a Cross. Collect for the Festival of St. Philip and St. James the Less. O Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life; Grant us perfectly to know Thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that following the steps of Thy holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same Thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ST. BARTHOLOMEW THE APOSTLE. ST. BARTHOLOMEW was a native of Cana in Galilee, and he is also mentioned in Holy Scripture by the name of "Nathanael." In the Gospel of St. John, St. 8 John xxi. 2. Bartholomew is every where mentioned by the name of " Nathanael "," which was the Jewish name given to him at his circumcision, and corresponds with our baptismal name; but in the Gospels of St. Matthew, St. Mark, and St. Luke, he is called by his surname of "Bartholomew'," or the "Son of Tholomew," or "Tholmai." St. Bartholomew is spoken of by the name of Nathanael, when Philip finding him, and telling him that they had found the Messiah, "Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see"." "Jesus" then seeing "Nathanael coming to Him, saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto Him, Whence knowest Thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith 9 John i. 42-50; xxi. 2. 1 Matt. x. 3. Mark iii. 18. Luke vi. 14. 2 John i. 46. |