Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Paisie of Sinaia said on Friday at the Chapel of the National Cathedral that in Apostle Philip, commemorated on November 14, we see the image of the first Christian missionary.
The hierarch gave an extensive presentation of the apostle’s life and mission, emphasising that Philip’s immediate response to the Saviour’s call reveals “a heart already nourished by the Scriptures and prepared to recognise God.”
His Grace highlighted that the encounter with Christ transforms Philip into a witness of the Light: “At the moment of his calling, he becomes a new man, a disciple of the Light. What follows shows that the encounter with Christ cannot be kept for oneself alone.”
The apostle runs to his friend Nathanael to share the good news: “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote” (John 1:45).
Realism and responsibility
The bishop recalled the Gospel episodes in which Philip stands out for his realism, responsibility, and desire to understand the Saviour. Before the hungry multitude, when Christ tests him, “Philip responds realistically, clearly showing human limitations.”
And at the Last Supper, he expresses the apostles’ deepest longing: “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us!” (John 14:8).
“Philip becomes an instrument through which God enlightens the world about the unity between the Father and the Son,” His Grace added, recalling Christ’s response: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Speaking about the apostolic mission after Pentecost, Bishop Paisie mentioned Philip’s ministry in Asia Minor, where “his life became a continual testimony of love and faith” until his martyrdom in Hierapolis.
The simplicity of the heart
His Grace Paisie of Sinaia emphasised the relevance of the apostle’s example today: “Saint Philip teaches us that we cannot be true disciples unless we also become missionaries. Faith is not a treasure to be hidden but a gift that multiplies through sharing.”
He urged the faithful to follow Philip’s courage and simplicity of heart: “When we say, like Philip, ‘We have found Christ,’ we show that our soul has found the meaning of life, and our testimony becomes the beginning of a new calling for others.”
“Let us pray to Saint Philip the Apostle to intercede before Christ the Lord so that we too may have the courage of faith, the strength to bear witness, and the love that does not diminish before suffering,” Bishop Paisie concluded.
Relic of Saint Philip in the National Cathedral
The National Cathedral recently received a relic of Saint Philip the Apostle, offered by Archimandrite Antipas Skandalakis, abbot of the Cell of Saint Anna on Mount Athos.
The reliquary in which the saint’s relics will be kept was blessed on Thursday by Bishop Paisie of Sinaia on the occasion of the patronal feast of the Chapel of the National Cathedral.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
