St. Philip's Day

Today is the Feast of St. Phillip, who was a disciple of St. John the Forerunner, and, later, a disciple and Apostle of Jesus. After Jesus Ascension, St. Philip (remember this is not St. Philip the Deacon) preached in Galilee, Greece (concentrating his efforts on the devout jews in the synagogues), and Persia. He was crucified in the Phrygian city of Hieropolis following a confrontation with the servants of a snake god.

St. Philip's feast is not a major feast, but has taken on a certain importance in the mind of the Orthodox, as it is the harbinger of the Nativity Fast (AKA Advent). At Church we don't do much to recognize the season, the the liturgical expression of Advent only lasts for two weeks. This is very much unlike Great Lent in the spring which starts off with many services and keeps them up for the length of that fast. So the Nativity Fast is different. It is a time for the little church in each Christian house to step up and live the life of Christ more brillianly. This is accomplished in many different ways.

In my house we'll start tomorrow by reading the account of the fall and the protoevangelium from Genisis. And we'll light a candle in the window. Of course, we'll also eat some crabs to mark the beginning of the relative (to Great Lent) joyfullness of this particular fast. Every few days we'll add more to what we do. By Christmas Eve, the house shall be decorted, many books shall have been read, alms shall have been given (Oh! There are so many people who need. I wish I was a rich man so I could help them all.), and much incense offered. Confession and Communion are part of every fast, of course. Hopefully, with God's help, we will be more like Jesus by the end of the Fast and ready to more perfectly celebrate the Feast of the Nativity, and be closer to being able to endure to the end like St. Philip.