Saint Philip: Hierapolis

 Life and Martyrdom

• c. 5 AD – 30 AD: Philip was born in Bethsaida, Galilee, a small fishing village on the Sea of Galilee, alongside fellow apostles Peter and Andrew. He became one of Jesus’ earliest disciples, called directly by Jesus with the words, “Follow me” (John 1:43–44). In the Gospels, Philip is portrayed as practical and inquisitive—introducing Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:45–46) and questioning how to feed the 5,000 before the miracle of the loaves and fishes (John 6:5–7). He also sought clarification during the Last Supper about Jesus’ teachings (John 14:8–9).
• 30–80 AD: Following Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and the events of Pentecost, Philip began his missionary work. Early Christian traditions, including the apocryphal Acts of Philip (a 4th-century text), suggest he preached in regions such as Phrygia, Scythia, and Asia Minor. His ministry eventually brought him to Hierapolis, a prosperous Greco-Roman city in modern-day Turkey known for its hot springs and white travertine terraces. Around 80 AD, tradition holds that Philip was martyred there. Accounts of his death vary: some say he was crucified upside down, others that he was stoned or beheaded alongside his companion, Saint Bartholomew, after converting the wife of a local Roman official, which enraged the authorities.

Burial and Tomb Development

• c. 80 AD: After his martyrdom, Philip’s followers buried him in Hierapolis, likely in a simple tomb near the site of his execution or ministry. The location was close to the city’s thermal springs, an area already significant for its natural wonders and pagan temples. Early Christians began venerating the site, marking it as a place of pilgrimage.
• 2nd–4th Centuries: As Christianity grew, Philip’s tomb became a focal point of devotion in Hierapolis. The Acts of Philip and other traditions note that his burial site was honored by the local Christian community, though no contemporary records pinpoint its exact location during this period.
• 5th Century: By the 5th century, with Christianity firmly established under the Byzantine Empire, a significant church known as the Martyrium of Saint Philip was constructed over what was believed to be his tomb. This octagonal structure, perched on a hill overlooking Hierapolis, was designed as a pilgrimage destination. The Martyrium featured a central chamber thought to house Philip’s remains, surrounded by rooms for pilgrims, reflecting the growing reverence for the Apostle.
• 7th–8th Centuries: Hierapolis declined due to earthquakes and invasions, including Arab raids, which damaged the city and its Christian sites. The Martyrium fell into disrepair, and Philip’s tomb became obscured over time, though local tradition preserved its memory.
• Middle Ages – 19th Century: The site faded from prominence as the region came under Seljuk and later Ottoman control. While pilgrims occasionally visited, the exact location of Philip’s tomb was lost amidst the ruins of Hierapolis, blending into the broader archaeological landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
• 2011 AD: A breakthrough occurred when Italian archaeologist Francesco D’Andria, excavating Hierapolis, discovered a 1st-century tomb approximately 40 meters from the Martyrium. This Roman-era tomb, distinct from the 5th-century church, was identified as Philip’s original burial site based on its age, location, and proximity to the Martyrium. Inscriptions and historical context supported the claim, though no human remains were found inside—possibly removed centuries earlier for safekeeping or veneration elsewhere.

Timeline

• c. 5 AD: Philip is born in Bethsaida, Galilee.
• c. 30 AD: Called by Jesus as a disciple; active in his ministry until the crucifixion.
• 30–80 AD: Preaches in Asia Minor, culminating in his mission to Hierapolis.
• c. 80 AD: Martyred in Hierapolis and buried in a simple tomb by his followers.
• 2nd–4th Centuries: Tomb becomes a site of early Christian veneration.
• 5th Century: Martyrium of Saint Philip built over the presumed tomb site.
• 7th–8th Centuries: Hierapolis and the Martyrium decline due to natural disasters and invasions.
• Middle Ages – 19th Century: Tomb’s exact location lost, though tradition persists.
• 1870s–20th Century: Hierapolis excavated as an archaeological site, with focus on its Greco-Roman and Christian heritage.
• 2011 AD: Francesco D’Andria uncovers the 1st-century tomb, identified as Philip’s original burial place.

Current Status

The tomb discovered in 2011, now part of the Hierapolis archaeological site, is widely accepted as Saint Philip’s original resting place, though it stands empty. The nearby Martyrium, partially restored, complements this find, offering a dual legacy of his burial—one tied to the initial grave and another to the later church built in his honor. The absence of remains suggests they may have been relocated during the early Christian era, possibly to Constantinople or Rome, as was common with apostolic relics. Today, visitors to Hierapolis can explore both the tomb and the Martyrium, which together narrate Philip’s enduring significance in Christian history.

The site’s rediscovery has bolstered Hierapolis’ status as a destination for those tracing the footsteps of the apostles. While the lack of physical relics leaves some questions unanswered, the tomb’s location near the Martyrium and its alignment with ancient traditions provide a compelling case for its authenticity.

Related Post

Apostles Tomb

• Saint Bartholomew: Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola
• Saint John: Basilica of St. John
• Saint James the Greater: Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
• Saint Andrew: Cathedral of Saint Andrew
• Saint Peter: St. Peter’s Basilica