According to the Golden Legend, there was a city in Scythia beset by a dragon. Philip persuaded the people to replace their idol of Mars with a cross, and when they did so he was able to drive the dragon away. Thus, his attributes are a cross and a dragon, as in the statue at left, or a cross alone, as in El Greco's Apostle St. Philip, or a cross and book (example).
The Golden Legend repeats the tradition that St. Philip was crucified in Hierapolis, Phyrgia, at an advanced age.
St. Philip is not often represented outside of collections of the twelve apostles.
Feast day: May 1
At left, Mazzuoli's statue in the Lateran Basilica
Other images:
Fra Lippo Lippi's painting of St. Philip's
crucifixion
13 century mosaic in RomeHagiography:
Golden
Legend #65
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