Saint Philip of Heraclea

The governor summoned the executioners; and Muccapor, the cruelest among them, was ordered to torment the holy bishop, who suffered without complaint and without showing the slightest weakness. Meanwhile, Hermes represe nted t Hermès Deacon and former magistrate of Heraclea, companion in martyrdom of Philip. o Bassus that he was Bassus Roman governor who initiated the persecution against Philip at Heraclea. seeking in vain to destroy the books in which the true religion was contained, and that, even if he were to succeed, he would never annihilate the word of God. His zeal irritated the judge, who had him beaten with rods. Hermes then went, with Publius, to the place where the holy books and sacred vessels were kept. Having noticed that Publius was diverting some vessels to appropriate them for himself, he reproached him. The governor's unfaithful minister gave Hermes a slap, and struck him with such violence that his face was covered in blood. Bassus loudly condemned this action and ordered Hermes' wound to be dressed. He distributed the vessels and the books to his officers. Then, to curry favor with the idolaters and to frighten the Christians, he had Philip and the other prisoners led to the public square by a troop of soldiers, and ordered the roof of the church to be uncovered. At the same time, the soldiers burned the holy books. The flames rose so high that the spectators were frightened by them.

Philip, being informed of what was happening, took the occasion of the material fire to speak of the torments with which God threatens sinners. He represented to the people that their idols and their temples had often been burned, and in the enumeration he made of them, he began with the temple of Hercules, protector of the city. During his speech, Caliphronius, a pagan priest, was seen appearing with his ministers. He came with everything necessary to offer a sacrifice. He was immediately followed by the governor, who was surrounded by a great multitude of people. Some were touched with compassion at the sight of the sufferings of the Christians. Others, among whom the Jews distinguished themselves, raised confused cries against them and loaded them with imprecations. Bassus pressed the holy bishop to sacrifice to the gods, to the emperors, and to the fortune of the city; then, showing him a statue of Hercules, which was of fine workmanship, he asked him if such a god was not worthy of the greatest veneration. Philip answered him only by showing him the absurdity of such worship and by making him feel how contrary it was to reason to adore a vile metal and the work of a sculptor, who was perhaps stained with the most shameful vices.

"As for you," said Bassus, addressing Hermes, "I am persuaded that you will sacrifice." — "No," replied Hermes, "I will not sacrifice; I am a Christian." — "If we can persuade Philip," said Bassus, "you will at least follow his example." — "You will not persuade him; and even assuming that he obeys you, I will not imitate him."

All threats being useless, the governor sent the confessors to prison. While they were being led there, the agitated populace pushed Philip insolently, and he was even made to fall into the mud several times. But he would rise quietly and without showing the slightest emotion. All the spectators admired his patience. The martyrs entered the prison singing psalms, in thanksgiving for the fact that they were suffering for Jesus Christ. A few days later, they were given permission to withdraw to the house of a man named Pancratius, which was adjacent to the prison. Christians and new converts flocked there to hear the word of God. But they were soon deprived of this consolation. The martyrs were put back in prison. As they had a secret exit to the theater which was contiguous, they took advantage of it for the instruction of the brethren; they would go out during the night, and the Christians would come to visit them.

In the meantime, the term of Bassus's government expired, and Justin was appointed to replace him. This change caused much affliction to the Christians. If Bassus had persecuted them, he had at least sometimes yielded to the representations made to him; but Justin was of a violent and cruel character.

Zoïlus, a magistrate of the city, having summoned Philip, Justin intimated the emperor's orders to him and pressed him to sacrifice. "I cannot obey you," replied Philip, "because I am a Christian. Furthermore, your commission is limited to punishing us for our refusal, and you have no right over our will." "You are undoubtedly unaware," said Justin, "what torments await you?" "You may torment me, but you will not conquer me; nothing will be able to make me sacrifice."

Justin having ordered the soldiers to bind him by the feet, he was dragged through the streets of the city. His body soon became nothing but a wound. The Christians took him in their arms to carry him back to his prison. The priest Severus was also made to appear before Justin, who had at first hidden, but who, by an in Sévère Christian priest who surrendered himself to the authorities and was martyred three days after Philip. spiration of the Holy Spirit, had surrendered himself to the idolaters. After the interrogation, he was put in prison. Hermes was also interrogated and treated in the same manner as Philip.

The three martyrs suffered for seven months the horrors of a dark and unhealthy dungeon. They were then taken out to be led to Adrianople. They were locked in a house in the countryside until the arrival of the governor. Justin, the day after his arrival, held his court at the Baths. He sent for Philip and had him beat Philippe Bishop of Heraclea and martyr under the persecution of Diocletian. en with rods so cruelly that his whole body was torn and his entrails could even be seen. The executioners and Justin himself were astonished at his courage. He was sent back to prison. Hermes appeared next and declared that he had been a Christian since childhood. The court officers asked for mercy for him, because they knew him and, having been a decurion or chief magistrate of Heraclea, he had obliged them all on various occasions. He was also led back to prison. The holy martyrs thanked Jesus Christ that they had already begun to show themselves worthy of him. Philip, although of a weak and delicate constitution, did not feel the effects of his torments.

Three days later, Justin had him appear again before his trib unal. Justin Successor of Bassus, a violent governor who ordered the execution of the martyrs. After having uselessly pressed him to obey the emperors, he told Hermes that he hoped he would show himself wiser, that he would value the sweetness of life more, and that he would no longer refuse to sacrifice. Hermes, for his only answer, contented himself with pointing out the extravagance and impiety of idolatry. Justin, transported with fury, cried out: "What, wretch, you speak as if you wanted to make me a Christian!" He then deliberated with his council and pronounced the following sentence: "We order that Philip and Hermes, who, for having disobeyed the emperors, have rendered themselves unworthy of the name of Romans, be burned in order to serve as an example to others." The two Saints heard this sentence with joy. They were obliged to carry Philip to the place of execution, because he did not have the strength to walk. Hermes followed him, but with great difficulty, because his feet were also sore. "Master," he said to Philip, "let us hasten to go to the Lord. Why worry about our feet, since we will no longer have any occasion to use them?" Then, turning to those who were following him, he said to them: "The Lord has revealed to me that I must suffer. Having fallen asleep a few days ago, it seemed to me that I saw a dove as white as snow which, entering the room, came to rest on my head; it then descended onto my chest and presented me with a dish of delicious taste. I recognized that it was the Lord who was calling me and that he deigned to grant me the glory of martyrdom."

When they arrived at the place of execution, the executioners, according to custom, placed Philip in a pit and covered his feet and legs with earth up to his knees. They then tied his hands behind his back and fastened them to a stake. Hermes was then made to descend into another pit. Hermès Deacon and former magistrate of Heraclea, companion in martyrdom of Philip. As he was supporting himself with a staff, because of the weakness of his feet, he said with gentle confidence: "Wretched demon, you cannot even bear for me to be here!" Scarcely had he spoken these words when they covered his feet with earth. The fire not yet being at the pyre, he called a Christian named Velogus, and said to him: "I conjure you by Our Lord Jesus Christ, to tell Philip, my son, on my behalf, to return all the deposits with which I was entrusted, so that no reproach can be made against me; the civil laws themselves command it. Tell him that he is young, that he must work to provide for his subsistence, as I have done, and conduct himself well toward everyone." They tied his hands behind his back when he had finished speaking, and set fire to the pyre. The holy martyrs did not cease to praise God until they ceased to live.

Their bodies were found whole. Philip had his arms extended like someone in prayer; Hermes had a fresh face, and the fire had left no traces upon it. Justin ordered their bodies to be thrown into the Hebrus; but some Christians from Adrianople retrieved them from the river and hid them in a place called Ogestiron, two miles from the city. The priest Severus, who was still i n pris Sévère Christian priest who surrendered himself to the authorities and was martyred three days after Philip. on, learned of the martyrdom of Philip and Hermes. He rejoiced in their triumph and asked for the grace to share in it, since he too had confessed the name of Jesus Christ. His prayer was answered, and he suffered martyrdom three days later. They are named in the martyrologies under October 22.

A painting by Murillo depicts the apotheo sis of Murillo Spanish painter who depicted the apotheosis of Saint Philip. Saint Philip of Heraclea. In the foreground, a religious of the Order of Saint Francis shows several people th Ordre de Saint-François Religious order welcomed by Engelbert in Cologne. e Saint rising to heaven, carried by angels. A great flame rises above a city to indicate that the Saint was burned.

Taken from their sincere Acts, published by Mabillon Mabillon Benedictine monk and historian, author of the Annales benedictinae. . — Cf. Tillemont.