St Philip the Apostle

Philip hailed from Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. He is particularly famous for baptising an Ethiopian courtier, an episode described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Following the Crucifixion, Philip is said to have preached the Gospel in the city of Hierapolis, whose population and religious leaders worshipped a poisonous snake. With the help of the cross, Philip managed to chase away the snake and save the life of the king’s son, who had been poisoned by its deadly venom. The pagan priests, who had worshipped the snake, were so furious that they murdered Philip. In another story, Philip was said to have been crucified by the emperor Domitian in 81 CE.

The statue

Philip is depicted with a long cross – a powerful symbol which, according to legend, had also contributed to his death.