Sicilians

ON THE HOLY SICILIANS PHILIP THE PRESBYTER, AND EUSEBIUS THE MONK OF AGYRIUM, AND PHILIP THE DEACON OF PANORMUS.

Philip the Presbyter, Wonder-Worker (St.) Eusebius the monk, Confessor, at Agyrium in Sicily (St.) Philip the Deacon, at Panormus in Sicily (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

Agyrium, a town of Sicily, on a lofty and sharp hill, not far from the river Symaethus situated, between the Aetna and Enna mountains, Argyrium a town of Sicily, by Cicero, Dionysius and Diodorus the Sicilian, who there was born, mentioned, by Ptolemy and Antoninus Agurium, by Stephen of the Cities Agyrena, whence the common now word Agirone derived; and on account of the memory of S. Philip, of whom we treat, everywhere by the inhabitants S. Filippo d' Agirone, or also, d' Argirone. To which last name Fasellus in the first decade of the Sicilian Affairs book 10 thus alludes: Argyre a most ancient city, on a most lofty and sharp mount situated, so called, because a silver (for ἀργύριον silver to the Greeks signifies) it has soil, and of silver near it is a mine: which itself by use even in this age we have learned. Since the torrents of waters, which when the winter rages to the depths slip down, of gold and of silver very many with them carry filings. From silver therefore Argyra is named. But by whom it was founded, escapes me. These things Fasellus.

[2] Renowned is this place by the habitation, sepulture, miracles and veneration of the said S. Philip the Presbyter, concerning whom on this XII day of May Francis Maurolycus Abbot of Messina in his Martyrology thus writes: the cult of S. Philip the Presbyter, On the same day at Argyra in Sicily of S. Philip the Presbyter, whose in demons being put to flight virtue by frequent signs appears. Which same things thence transcribed are read at Molanus in the Auctarium of Usuard and Felicius in the Italian Ephemeris. In today's Roman Martyrology these things are had: In Sicily of S. Philip of Argyrium, who by the Roman Pontiff to that island sent, a great part of it to Christ converted: whose sanctity in freeing the demoniacs especially is declared.

[3] Adds Baronius in the Notes that he received his deeds manuscript, of which is the beginning: In the days of Arcadius the Emperor &c. These things Baronius. The Acts both Greek and Latin are given, That there are extant the same Acts in Ms. codices of the Churches of Agyrium, Catania, Syracuse, and Palermo, from Greek sources deduced, and in Greek written to be found in the library of the Vatican, of Grottaferrata and of the Messina monastery of S. Salvator, asserts Octavius Cajetan, in volume first of the Lives of the Sicilian Saints, and adds that he that one gives, which thence rendered into Latin P. James Sirmond of the Society of Jesus, a man among the first learned. the interpreter James Sirmond: We the Greek found at Rome in the library Vatican and at the end we give, here indeed we subjoin the Latin of Sirmond himself interpretation, and with our Annotations illustrate.

[4] Of this the title is of this kind: The Narration of Eusebius the monk, of the life and miracles of our holy Father Philip, the Apostolic Presbyter, the expeller of demons. By the Author S. Eusebius the companion, This author of the Life with him himself sailed to Rome, and at number 6 in the plural number says, the calm being made we were saved, and to Rome we came, and then at Rome at number 7 in Syriac he expounded to S. Philip, what to him was said. Then with him to Agyrium having set out at number 9 he saw the demons' crowd like stones rolled from the mountain's summit, and at number 26 in the appearance of fire from the temple to burst forth. But after death, as in the Notes is observed, to Alexandria he betook himself, and there to the Patriarch the life and miracles of S. Philip, by himself written, offered. Adds moreover Cajetan under the title concerning S. Eusebius the monk and Confessor the following: At Agyrium in peace he rested, and a shrine to himself divinely described a certain Besilarius had built: and in it two cases, the upper indeed for B. Eusebius, and the lower for S. Philip the Presbyter, which is intimated at number 32. At present, says Cajetan, the Bodies of the Saints Eusebius, Philip the Deacon, and Luke the Abbot in the same ark are kept, but the head of Eusebius with silver covered is shown on the feast day of S. Philip on the fourth of the Ides of May: on which day Eusebius together with Philip at Agyrium is venerated. These things Cajetan, who before in the Sicilian Martyrology on this XII of May these things had written: At Agyra of the Holy Confessors Philip the Presbyter and Eusebius the monk. this related on the 12th of May. Ferrarius when in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy an illustrious epitome from this Life he had edited, likewise in the Catalogue of the Saints, who in the Roman Martyrology are not, from the Tables of the Church of Agyrium related S. Eusebius the monk at Argyra. The same in the title, relying on their authority, we subjoined. But it can be asked, whether the Life this, as now it is had, was by Eusebius the holy man written. Doubts Cajetan, because certain things there are read from the crossroad taken, whose text another afterwards amplified namely concerning the demons' enclosure at Jerusalem by Solomon made &c. which he therefore passed over, and we from the Greek among the Annotations restored. But could also holy men in holy simplicity concerning ancient things have believed certain things, and into their writings inserted. More us moves to doubt, the gift of the Latin tongue, to S. Philip divinely conferred, which he used in the divine office, since it is narrated with that circumstance, which a witness present and eye-seeing could not so have expressed, that in the Latin rite's Mass, such as in Latin to be believed is to have done the Pontiff, the applied Deacon is said in Latin to have expressed these words, In peace let us pray the Lord: since of them in our Mass there is no use; but well in the Greek liturgy, while that is done which of S. Chrysostom is called. Wherefore altogether we judge those things which S. Eusebius briefly wrote concerning Philip, to have been by some Sicilian, not sufficiently prudent and grave, adorned and amplified; just as from the same Sicily various other lives we have, under contemporary writers' names, to say it most mildly, amplified, which to use we are compelled by the lack of a more ancient and more sincere context.

[5] In this life it is said, that the parents of S. Philip in Thrace lived, and children procreated, in the times of Arcadius the Emperor, Other things more apocryphal, who after the death of his father Theodosius from the year CCCXCV to CCCCVIII reigned. Wherefore against the aforesaid Life, as utterly apocryphal, vehemently rise up first the abovementioned Fasellus, then Rocchus Pirrus the Notice first of the Sicilian Churches and others, whom the antiquity's love in their minds blazing thither led, that in the time of S. Peter the Apostle to have lived S. Philip they wish: and they bring forth some life of his, as if by S. Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria written: not by S. Athanasius, which, that satisfaction may be made to their clamors, although apocryphal, we subjoin: that anyone by himself may be able to judge, that ignorance of truer circumstances, which we note, not to have been able to fall upon any prudent man, much less upon the most learned and most prudent Athanasius, whose Acts accurately illustrated we gave on the second day of May. The author however, but written in the 7th century or so. whoever he was, in the eighth or seventh century must have lived, before by the Saracens was occupied Sicily; and so could in the ancient form of characters in Greek have been written that Life, which says Cajetan among his manuscripts to have had the Prelate Antony Augustine, in the prudence of law and erudition renowned; and himself the same at Messina in our college in Latin written in an ancient codex to have found and copied. Several but of small moment by Cajetan are brought forward arguments, that he may prove that S. Philip in the time of S. Peter lived, led by the people of Palermo, among whom before imprinting an Idea, for the time of Arcadius the former opinion he had favored.

[6] To us nothing is sown or reaped, when he lived: but the Life, under the name of Eusebius edited, more to us is approved: or even from those things, which in the third chapter are narrated of Philip the younger and Deacon, whom the people of Palermo as their citizen are said also on this XII of May to venerate: on which day Cajetan in the Sicilian Martyrology these things has: At Palermo of S. Philip the Deacon, the disciple of the elder Philip. Philip the Deacon is venerated also on the 12th of May. And Ferrarius in the General Catalogue, from the tables of the Church of Palermo, which on this day him as its citizen venerates, celebrates the feast of S. Philip the Deacon at Palermo: and Cajetan at the end of the Life, separately from the Acts of S. Philip of Agyrium extracted, and by us in it left, adds: The body of Philip the Younger and Deacon at Agyrium is kept, with SS. Luke the Abbot and Eusebius the Monk, with whom on the fourth of the Ides of May he is venerated: whose name we also in the title present. The Acts of S. Luke the Abbot we gave on the second day of March. But of all four the translation is celebrated at the said Cajetan on the XXV of July.

[7] Fasellus in the indicated book 10, concerning the virtue of S. Philip the Presbyter, in casting out demons divinely to his merits conceded, these things writes: For indeed in the year MDXLI, [In the year 1541 two hundred demoniacs gathered at the feast of S. Philip, wondrously agitated,] at the solemn feast of Divine Philip, while at Agyra together with others by the impulse of religion I was present, almost two hundred there possessed women I met. A wondrous and stupendous miracle it was, to see them not from themselves, but from the demon who in their bodies the command had occupied, with mockeries agitated, voices on high to bear, all covering and modesty cast off, to whirl their hair, to gnash with their teeth, their mouth and eyes to distort, foam to emit, their arms and almost the whole body on high with great force to lift up, a voluble tongue to swell, the throat and its veins to swell, and finally a fury unheard-of in all their members to conceive: some in Greek, several in Latin, who speaking in various tongues, in Saracen others to speak, so perfectly, that nothing more pure by anyone most experienced even in his own kind could be brought forth. The hearts' lastly conceptions and what secretly anyone and known to himself alone crimes had perpetrated (which more wondrous was) a woman a certain Leontina ignominiously to anyone to reproach.

[8] And these things indeed private. But the public, and what in the proceeding pomp of the divine image happened, than those far were greater. For that night, which the sacred preceded, these possessed women at the principal altar of the temple with their guards, without any sign of disease as if altogether whole rested, the image of Divine Philip from the shrine, which is near, to be carried out awaiting: where both a most frequent assembly of the people, and we too with wondrous expectation were present. But in the morning, the door of the shrine being opened, and the Divine sign being shown, before the image of S. Philip they are direly agitated: when it the possessed beheld; presently as if a capital enemy were present, his aspect dreading, with raised voice their garments to rend, their hair to pluck, and the bonds by which most tightly they were impeded being broken, some even from the guards' hands to slip began. Of whom then the unusual clamors, than any groaning greater, like roarings immense, so through the whole temple and the neighboring fields resounded, that nearby a war huge and savage, and a most bloody battle to be joined seemed. And there then a certain Ragusan woman, of these one is freed a sign being left: all beholding, presently was cured, a most clearly perceived sign being left. For there hung from a rope above the left altar, a candelabrum of bronze, with lamps and several lights translucent, from the earth about eight cubits raised: which in that very moment in which she was freed, no one indeed being seen to move it, all the lamps being dispersed (wondrous to see) with frequent motions, like a millstone wheel, as swiftly as possible was wholly turned over.

[9] But to the pomp itself I come. The men therefore, who either in priesthood or in dignity excelled, the most renowned in a long order pomp conducting, of Divine Philip the image, blackish indeed that and to sight horrible, then in the procession, preceded: which thereupon of whatsoever condition men and women innumerable, almost with wax tapers with incense also burning, mingled followed. And when to the middle of the temple, where the altar was, it had been come, Leontina a certain woman, who by a certain Priest in his bosom was carried, several already years by a demon held, with a voice uttered to the rest turned, a sign with her hand made, Be strong, she exclaimed, be of good courage: let none depart: this day will now set. When I heard this, I was astonished, because him, the prince of demons in vain animating his companions by whom she was besieged, to be among the demons the prince, from the words, the countenance besides, the boldness and the command, by which the rest he seemed to excel, not absurdly I knew: which also to the Patricians of Catania, who near me were, that they should notice, I indicated: and in fact afterwards it was declared. For when little by little in the same order proceeding, the bier now to the chief doors of the temple had reached, that same woman, from a higher place on the last step of the temple beholding all the crowd of the possessed subject to herself, stopped; and all being called, and with hand pointed out, again in the vernacular, Away, she said, with fear, far hence let terror go. Now it grows evening, now to its setting verges this day to us hostile, and an enemy most fierce: cast away fear, let none of you withdraw: let cares depart, bear a little while, now the setting is at hand. To whom from those one, Force I suffer, answered, I am compelled hence to go out. But the prince on the contrary: Where are thy strengths? resume courage: now the day's destruction is at hand. But she again: she is freed the second one: I am compelled to go out. O crosses! o torments! which I suffer. Which scarcely expressed, a roaring being premised, by the power of Divine Philip driven out, from her departed the demon. And the woman just now most ferocious, an unheard-of immediately meekness put on.

[10] But the demon from her presently into a servant a certain one, and a curious onlooker is seized, these things more curiously inspecting, we seeing and wondering migrated. Who to howl, to groan, with his teeth to gnash, and with bloody eyes occupied, to rage forthwith began: which his Lord, who of Licata was, when he saw, by the impulse of anger into contumelies burst forth, But also this one is freed, and the holy devil (which a familiar today to the Sicilians blasphemy is) he cried out: because a servant of a hundred gold pieces' price so suddenly and unexpectedly he had lost. But a little after also he led to the altar, with no labor his pristine mind and free recovered. Moreover time will fail me and the plan of the undertaking, if all things, which on that day most openly of Divine Philip shone forth miracles, I should wish to recount. For there were there among the rest sixty girls of Cirami, and 60 girls, and all the others who in one hour of the night, while together in the same village they played, by demons had been occupied: who all and as many others as to these sacred rites had gathered, we beholding, wondrously freed and to wholeness restored were, except one only however that Leontina of so great a benefit was deprived.

[11] These things he as an eye-witness. Nothing therefore we wonder, that the cult of S. Philip even into the island of Malta penetrated, a parish temple in Malta. where at the fourth from the Metropolis milestone toward the southwest, a town called Zelugi, of about three thousand souls, both other various buildings has to the urban ones by no means yielding in elegance, and a magnificent above all church parochial under the title and invocation of S. Philip of Argyrium; as in his description of Malta in Italian notes the Commendator Abela, of the sacred Hierosolymitan Religion Vice-chancellor page 88. Then he observes page 370, that that church was built before Bernardine de Paterno and James de Paterno of Catania, from the monastery of S. Philip, of which Abbots they had been, to the Maltese Bishopric were assumed, in the years MCCCCXLVI and XLVII: and thence a conjecture he draws, that of it the author was Antony Platamontius, to this See assumed, from the Priorate of Scicli of S. Mary de Monaco, on the said Abbey dependent, before the year MCCCXCII, in which dead writes Rocchus Pyrrhus in the notice of Malta, but he himself doubts whether it be not much older.

LIFE

Rendered into Latin by James Sirmond, and with the Greek Vatican by us collated.

Philip the Presbyter, Wonder-Worker (St.) Eusebius the monk, Confessor, at Agyrium in Sicily (St.) Philip the Deacon, at Panormus in Sicily (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR EUSEBIUS THE MONK FROM A GREEK MS.

CHAPTER I.

Birth, education, the Diaconate. Things done at Rome with the Pontiff. The Priesthood.

[1] In the times of ^a Arcadius the Emperor, there was in ^b the province of Thrace a certain man by name Theodosius, His parents rich and Christian by race a Syrian, whose wife was Augia, from the great city of the Romans sprung, with ample wealth both and family, God above all worshipping, and His law keeping.

[2] To these sons three were, who all their substance in the buying of beasts of all kinds laid out, in Galatia, Cappadocia, and all Asia, all their age placing in this kind of trading. But on the feast day of the Exaltation of the ^c Holy Cross they were wont to seek Constantinople, after the 3 sons drowned with their stock of trade, and there with their parents to pass the sacred day. It happened therefore at one time, that while the feast being at hand, in the month of September, they cross the ^d Sagaris river, together with the horse-colts, which they had bought; suddenly the swelling wave of the river themselves with the beasts snatched away. Which when it had been brought to their father and mother, with great grief affected, to God thanks they gave, after the example of Job, saying: Be the name of the Lord blessed, from now and unto ages. But the mother being urged by the goad of grief, days and nights was distressed, so that secretly her husband to leave she thought, and her fatherland to seek again, that is the Roman province. But Theodosius the father assiduously for his sons prayed, and good things many bestowed.

[3] Wherefore the kindled toward Himself love beholding the Lord, his wife Augia in dreams consoled on a certain night, Himself showing in the form of an old man, and with these words addressing: Why thus unceasingly art thou distressed, for the sons' cause? Knowest thou not, that he who indiscreetly bewails the dead, God provokes to anger? and again; If to the Lord's service thou hast acceded, prepare thy heart for temptation, and again; If thou doest good, expect temptation: for the Lord, whom He loves, He chastises. the one to be born is foretold: So put aside the mournful garment, and awaking anoint thy head with oil, and thy face in the gladness of thy heart wash, and take the stole with which thou art clothed in the church, and make ^e three loaves of fine flour, and offer thy gifts to God in exultation, and approach thy husband, and console him; and behold thy gifts will be for an odor of incense. But she rising, by the divine spirit truly illuminated, in all things obeyed, and her gifts with her husband together offered to God, saying: The Lord lives, no longer any more grief will there be to us for the dead sons, but we will be, my Lord Theodosius, as in our youth, God serving, and His commandments keeping. But can to us God give one son, for the three who dead are.

[4] And she bore to her husband a male, whom she called Philip: and the boy being weaned, when to the seventh year he had come, he advanced in morals and doctrine. Whom shearing his mother dedicated to the Church, who also Deacon was made in the twenty-first year of his age, and studiously the ^f Syriac tongue learned, and all Ecclesiastical discipline. in his 21st year he is made a Deacon: But often said to him his mother: My most sweet son, if to thee it were permitted to Rome to go, where my kinsmen and relatives all are, there thou wouldst see the greatest temples, and orders of Priests and congregations of monks, and of the ascetics the prudence, continence and modesty and the vigils of the laity; all moreover with fear the church frequenting, taught by his mother the piety of the Romans, and standing at the sanctuary as at the tribunal of God, nor otherwise their heads downward bending. There it is unlawful, for a reprehensible anyone to enter the church, or any whisper or laughter to be heard, but solicitously all and with reverence, as I said, stand as at the tribunal of God.

[5] He hearing these things, in mind was inflamed and with desire; and again dreaded, fearing his parents to sadden, to whom indeed for solace he was the only one for the brothers deceased. and by the desire of seeing it moved, Sitting moreover with his parents often he said, not without affection: Would that to me it might befall to Rome to go, and to see the synaxis of ^g Peter, the Apostolic Patriarch, and from him communion to receive, and afterwards straightway to die, if it could be. And vehemently was distressed Philip by this thought: and he interposed with his father some of his relatives, that from him they might obtain leave of setting out by this condition, that as soon as worthy he had been made, who the Apostles might adore and the ecclesiastical discipline might inspect, to his own he should return. But Theodosius, perceiving fixed his toward God love, by the hand him taking, and in the Syriac dialect prayers pouring forth toward the East, thus spoke: God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, into Thy hands I commend Thy servant: as Thou wilt, so to Thee the care be of him. he is dismissed by his father, And thus him having embraced he dismissed, the mother being unaware, nothing of this matter with her communicating.

[6] But he by God's will sailing came to the shore of Italy, and straightway arose a huge sea-storm. Then Philip standing, he is tossed by a tempest; Lord, said, into Thy hands deposited me my father, do not destroy me by this water, as perished my brothers in the water of the torrent. But if this is Thy will, of my vow first possessed may I be made, and then let that be done which Thou hast commanded. But not for my sins let perish, who with me are men thirteen. These things by him being said, into sleep were turned all, and there appeared to them the Apostle, under the Pope's figure, and to the shipmaster Thomas said: Hasten, shipmaster, to Rome to put in, leading with thee Philip the Deacon, because there to me of use he will be. and S. Peter appearing, carried to Rome, Being made thence suddenly a calm and tranquillity great, saved all we were by the merits of the Apostle.

[7] But on the third day after when going out to Rome we had come, on the Lord's day, Philip with Eusebius the monk, by the Pontiff to read he is summoned. unanimous to the church set out: and stood in the left part of the temple. And no delay, God favoring, it is revealed to the Pope: who calling one of the Deacons, said to him: Go to the left of the temple, there thou wilt find a Deacon covered with a cloak, with another monk: him call, and say, that he enter the church, and with thee minister. Obeying therefore the Deacon all things performed, as he had been ordered, and by the hand him taking led before the ambo. But he not even a word knew of the Roman tongue, but Eusebius the monk, what to him was said, expounded in Syriac, for he was skilled also in Syriac. He signified therefore through the Deacon; Give pardon, Lord, to thy servant, since of the Roman tongue not a word one I know. But the Pope his hand extending, and him signing, and by him blessed in Latin he reads though ignorant of the tongue. said; In the name of Christ our God, open thy mouth, and speak in thy ministry the Roman words. But he with mouth opened, his tongue moving in his own tongue, straightway said ^h what follows in the sacred Liturgy, to the Deacon pertaining.

[8] But he tarried there months three, days twelve; he grieved that while in the Deacon's office the Roman tongue he spoke, in other things not a word even could he bring forth. Thinking therefore he at the Pope's feet to fall down, and that tongue having attained, and his prayers to implore, that to him everywhere it be conceded in the Roman dialect to speak, knew straightway the Pope what in mind he was revolving, and said to him: Approach to the lesson. But he mute remained, to read not able. And the Pope, Speak, said, Philip, as we speak; and straightway flying forth fire from the mouth of the Patriarch, touched his lips, and in Roman to speak he began with all. a Priest he is created; Then he created him a Presbyter, and a book into his hands delivered written, saying; The Apostolic Tome take today, and when thou shalt have come to the Southern parts of the Province of Sicily, in the mountains, which there are, there is a place, to which the name is Agyrium, [i] over against the Aetna mountain, from which bursts forth fire, perpetual flame belching, which [k] Satan with the spirits there dwelling, and all his forces obtained as it were an inheritance. But the Tome, which to thee I gave, ^l with my hand I wrote by the virtue of the Holy Spirit: until all to one of them thou shalt have expelled, to return to thee to thy parents is not permitted. and he receives the book of exorcisms. The Apostolic mandate speedily obeying Philip, the tome being received, and the Pope being saluted, and prayer being performed, taking also with him Eusebius the monk, a ship he boarded, God well helping, and setting sail Rhegium of Calabria they reached, great modesty showing forth, and by the divine nod at Messina they put in, and by a land journey into the place aforesaid Agyrium they came.

ANNOTATIONS

CHAPTER II.

On the Agyrium mount pious exercises, and miracles wrought.

[9] Philip settled in a cave ^a a certain one where a triple is order of columns, he expels the demons from the mountain, and steps three of stone polished: where after the custom sitting, and cures making, after the space of two days he ascended into a lofty mountain, which is over against Aetna, where are the possessions of Argyrus the Toparch. And prayer being made on the summit of the mountain, his prayer he turned to Him, by whom sent he had come, and to the Apostle Peter, saying; Show, Lord, show Thy face, and there will be blotted out the demons' troops. And a sign being made through the tome, which in his hand he carried, was seen by the monk the demons' crowd like stones rolled from the mountain's summit, and fleeing with a mournful voice they cried; Woe to us, Peter the Apostle's hand again us in valleys these has caught. Others said, again hence we are driven, as when Simon Magus into the high was lifted up, driven out by Paul we were; again we are driven now by Peter, through Philip the Presbyter.

[10] and from the bodies of very many: Then on a certain day, when for those he prayed, who by unclean spirits possessed were held, there approached a girl of a rich man the daughter, and God fearing, who by a spirit was vexed. Straightway therefore his hand stretched out Philip, and on her placed it and said: In the name of Jesus Christ, and of Peter the Apostle, go out, and go into the place for thee prepared. But the spirit with a great voice crying, said; By the Most High, Philip, and Peter the Apostle, from this girl indeed I go out; but from this place never will I depart, but with thee I will dwell unto the last day. Presently falling down the girl on the ground before the feet of the Priest Philip whole was made, and went away praises rendering to God. But there was a great multitude of those, who by spirits were tormented, in number about forty, who indeed by the highest Trinity's grace and our holy Father Philip's prayers safe were made, to God thanks giving, who through His servants marvels does.

[11] he abolishes a superstition: A custom there was for those peoples, before the Saint's coming on account of the unclean spirits' fear, ^b gifts to them to offer: nor that only, but also their substance in sepulchres they hid, because demons men's appearance assuming, said the fathers dead to ask from their sons: Give us, sons, of your goods, that we may enjoy. By which reasoning deceived men, from the needy's help were called away. The holy moreover man churches in the Apostle's name in many places built.

[12] On another again day, the holy one setting out to the Northern place's parts, for the sake of praying, there approached to him a man with his wife, mourning with a great mourning, and they say to the Saint; Have mercy on us, Holy one of God, because our son the only-begotten, when to draw water he had gone to the fountain, a dead man he raises. to which the name is Mamoniaca, when from it he tasted, straightway died. But he his head shaking, forthwith went to the fountain, and sees the youth dead lying: and by the hand taking him, says to his parents: What is called your son? but they said, John. And signing him with the Apostolic tome, thrice him he called, John, John, John, in the name of God arise. And straightway arose the youth, as from sleep; and gave him to his mother, saying; Go, give glory to the Lord our God, who through His servants does marvels. The Lord mortifies, and vivifies. But thou spirit unclean, who in this place to remain dost wish, beware lest any man thou harm. But if thou continue in malice according to thy desire, and God's permission; this to thee will be from me, and from the Apostle Peter a punishment, that thou shalt be bound with iron chains by the Spirit Holy, and ^c Gabriel the Leader of the militia, and bound thou shalt be unto the world's end, that here thou dwell, as thou hast asked, and God shall have permitted.

[13] He sitting, and the Gospel in his hands holding, there met an old man a certain one by name Athanasius by a viper struck: and his body from that bite grievously wounded, Struck by a viper he heals; and almost now despaired of, fell at the Saint's feet rolled, and lamenting. For this Athanasius was avaricious, and of gifts and of persons an accepter: and who all things into the better converts, permitted that by a beast he be wounded, that to a better fruit he might be recalled. Said therefore to him the Saint; What has happened to thee? Old man. He showed him the welt of the wound struck by the serpent: and the holy man his hand applying, said. If whole thou shalt have been made, thou shalt abstain thyself from thy wickednesses; To whom he with an oath added, answered: If by thy prayers health I recover, I will abstain from this day from all my depraved actions. But he on the pavement spitting, and with spittle the dust diluting, anointed his wound, and straightway was cured.

[14] A woman a fetus bearing in the womb dead, for days four to bring forth could not, and to death now drew near, but walking about before his doors the Saint, a woman in labor he frees, said. What is it, that ails the woman? It was answered, a fetus in the womb dead to be, and to bring forth her not to be able. And he with both hands water taking, and putting into a little vessel, ordered her to drink in the name of the Lord, and of Philip the Apostolic Presbyter; and straightway came forth the infant utterly entire, and was saved the woman.

[15] There came to him a shepherd at midday, saying; Have mercy, Lord, since a hired man I am of a rich certain one, and feed his cattle: the cattle from beasts safe he renders: there rushed in two beasts wild, and handle them cruelly: the Lord moreover with impatient bears mind, nor to me even one of those remits: and so what I should do I know not. But God's servant dust from the earth taking, and with his tome blessing it, to the shepherd gave, saying: Sprinkle this in the cattle's enclosure, and when the beasts rush in, say; The sinner Philip the Presbyter, in the name of the Lord, commanded you this: Abstain henceforth from the cattle. He did, as he had been ordered the shepherd, and terrified were and repelled the beasts, the holy Priest Philip's intercession.

[16] he heals a woman with a flux of blood, There was a woman, a flux of blood having suffered for nine years, who also her all on physicians had consumed, that health she might recover, but in vain. But when she heard of the Saint and thrice blessed Father our Philip, she approached he still sacrificing, and stood at a distance, where he the sacred mysteries was working: and after his hands he had washed, she asked the Subdeacon, that to her he give the water, in which his sacred hands he had washed; who also a linen napkin had brought for wiping the hands of him. And when he had washed, and the water to the woman the Subdeacon had given; she with faith receiving, and from it drinking, by divine counsel suddenly recovered. And the napkin carrying home, she found a woman with a grievous disease laboring, and another from a grievous disease. and lying in a little bed for years three, who by others' hands food took. But she the napkin applying, in which his sacred hands had washed the Saint, said: In the name of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Presbyter Philip, through whom health I received, arise also thou from thy little bed, and walk with thy feet, to venerate his church. And she the napkin to her whole body applying, straightway recovered: and rising God praised, who through His servants cures worked.

[17] A certain one, whose daughter with the elephantiac disease most grievously labored, so that her whole almost body was covered, another from the elephantiac disease: approached to the feet of the holy man, crying, and saying; Most holy Father, show mercy, and let be cured through thee thy girl, because her husband to desert her wishes, on account of the exuberant force of the disease: very much I have consumed on physicians for the sake of the cure, and nothing I have obtained: but I beseech thee, let be healed thy girl by thy prayers. But he the Deacon ordered to him to be brought the extended veil of the church, and with it to be covered the girl: who straightway cleansed shone forth than gold brighter, and home returned praise giving to God.

[18] Again, the feast day of the Apostle Peter being celebrated by Philip the holy Presbyter, there came Leontius a certain one by name, he cures a putrid ulcer: an ulcer having putrid in his thigh, and vociferated in these words: Servant of God, who to all the grace of health makest, command also me to be healed from this wound, because a hired man I am, and by my hands' labor I live: but now with this ulcer idle I remain: and because to labor I cannot, with hunger I am tortured: I beseech thee heal me through the Lord. Then he washing his hands, to the Deacon said: Go to the middle door of the church, and the dust which to it adheres with this water diluting, make a plaster of clay, and apply to the ulcer of this one, saying; Through the name of God let be healed the wound: and to thee I command, if anyone ask, who to thee health restored, answer, Through God's mercy, and the Holy Spirit's grace, whole I am. And in the same hour he was restored to health, to God thanks giving, through the intercession of the holy Presbyter Philip.

[19] A certain hired man a fierce working beast of burden an ass, a fierce beast of burden he renders gentle: by it with kicks and teeth wholly had been bruised. But this grief when days some patiently he had borne, nor the beast in any way tame could; remembering the miracles, which S. Philip had wrought, said within himself: Be the name of the Lord blessed: tomorrow I will take this fierce beast, and with my hand will lead to Philip the Presbyter, who also demons expels, that he command it, to be tamed it suffer. On the next therefore day he led to the Saint, saying: Have mercy on me, who the sick healest, see my humility and my labor, which from this wild animal I suffer: because to bear I am unable, what day and night by it to me is done of evils. Smiling the holy Father his hand extended, and the animal signing, said; Obey thy lord, and bend to him thy untamed neck, nor any more with kick and tooth attack him but be henceforth as a lamb in all obedience. And the hour itself, by the holy Presbyter's command, it was rendered than a sheep gentler: and went away the man rejoicing, and God glorifying.

[20] An ark there was to the temple of the Saint near, and in it by God's permission dwelt a spirit unclean, to a blind man he restores sight: who about the hour sixth of those passing by the eyes blind rendered. A certain one however when at one time with a grievous disease he was held, approached to the ark, that he might rest at the hour first, and straightway was blinded. But when he cried out, where indeed is Philip, who healings works, asking those who passed by, he said; Have mercy on me, lead me to the door of the church of the venerable Presbyter Philip. And when led in the same hour he had been to the door, he said: Holy one of God, from many stadia to thee I came for health's cause, and blind I was made at the ark to thy temple near, the hour about the sixth. But the Saint indignant, said; To thee I say spirit unclean, who men's eyes blind renderest, thou shalt be from this time forever blind thyself, nothing seeing within that ark. But outside thou shalt not be able to a man or beast any nearer to approach. And in the same hour was freed the man from blindness, and at the same time from his disease, and went away praising God, who His servants frees from all infirmity.

[21] A man a certain one there was in the toparch's dominion whom a rabid beast had bitten. Him seeing the sacred Philip, an herb from the field to be brought ordered and to be burned, and at the same time with water to be poured on his wounds; and straightway healed was the man, by God's will and the holy man's prayers. he cures the bite of a rabid beast:

[22] Certain ones from the Agrigentines' city in number men twelve, by an unjust accusation circumvented, and delated to the Duke by their President, twelve men unjustly bound and to be delivered to death, as if against the Duke they had conspired, bound were led to be unjustly slain. But when the Catanians' city they were passing, asked the soldiers, by whom they were led, money to them being given, that to pass it might be permitted through the temple of Philip the Presbyter: for they hoped themselves by his prayer appeased to have the Duke: which also was done. For when to the venerable church they had come, with a voice great and mournful they cried, saying, Have mercy on us, Holy one of God, who by an unjust death are condemned: because iniquitous is the accusation against us written, which carry the soldiers. But he their mourning pitying, said to the soldiers: Bring hither these men, as if to inquire of them he wished, why bound they were led. But they to the Saint said; Delivered to us them the President, written also against them an epistle, that with capital punishment on them he animadvert, showing at the same time the letters with a leaden ^d bull sealed. Then the holy man said: Let it be written in this paper by my words, and God's virtue, thus within: These men unjustly are condemned, the writing being miraculously changed he frees them, the President by envy against them being driven. But thou merciful be, Duke, neither with scourges, nor with sword them subjecting; but let them be freed from the unjust accusation, and let them return to their own rejoicing. Then when they had been led to the place which the Duke inhabited, as soon as the epistle he read, to be loosed he ordered the bound ones, saying that they nothing unjustly had perpetrated, nor against himself anything had machinated: nay rather as to men having suffered injury let be given food, and let them return to their own glad. But they God praising, and His Saint Philip, by whom they had been before freed, returned home.

[23] their accuser then a demoniac he frees and amends: But he who them unjustly had accused and bound had sent, when returned he saw, by a demon was seized. Then said to him those who bound had been, as with one mouth; Go to the feet of the venerable Philip the Presbyter, by whom we from the iniquitous slaughter freed were, and thee he from the unclean spirit will free. And he with a course hastening, the holy his temple entered, and said; Have mercy on me, servant of God Philip, let be expelled from me by thy prayers the wicked spirit, who me vexes. To whom the Saint: Unworthy thou art of excuse, he said, who a little before men innocent to death didst persecute. At last however when by the wretched one long he was wearied, pitying him, said to the spirit: Go out, and depart from him, in the name of Christ Crucified our God. Presently falling on the earth, whole he escaped, a mandate from the blessed man being received, that no one ever by gifts corrupted he should falsely accuse: and went away God magnifying, who prodigies great does through His servants.

[24] A spiritual a certain one there was woman, who the care bore of the cloister of the venerable temple of SS. Sergius, likewise a nun. and Bacchus, by an unclean spirit grievously agitated; and she came to the holy man, at which time to sacred things intent he was: and straightway when she seized the hem of his cloak, and with mouth bit it, whole was made by divine virtue, and to the monastery returned proclaiming God's power.

[25] Three men from the Lydian Province into Sicily had come, with much money to buy corn, and they had of gold pounds about thirty two. the stolen money of the companions, Suggested to one a demon, that secretly he should take and to himself usurp, what common were to all. Troubled moreover they being on account of the gold lost, when they had heard of our holy Father Philip, they approach to him speedily, and say: Have mercy on us, servant of God, because the gold, which to trade in common we had, we have lost, and we know not what to say or to do we ought. Then the holy one opening his prophetic mouth said to them; Stretch forth your hands into the ground, and the clay where ye stand, and seize the clay. And when straightway their hands into the designated place they had extended, again he said: Bring now your hands, and two indeed when they had drawn back, wondrously he detects, and amends him they appeared as with water clean washed: but his who had stolen, the clay dried held his fingers, so that to unfold them he could not. Then said to him the Saint: Go, render the gold to thy companions, and whole be henceforth thy hand. But he crying, and saying; Let be healed my hand, I am, who the gold hid; immediately was restored the hand, and the gold to his companions he restored, and they went away God praising.

ANNOTATIONS

CHAPTER III.

The demons driven out. The pious death. Miracles. Likewise the Acts of S. Philip the Deacon inserted.

[26] On a certain day, when to Peter the Apostle's church had come the venerable Presbyter Philip, demons he expels by his coming and prayers. together with Eusebius the monk to pray, and his mind he intended to the nocturnal prayer, about the hour sixth of the night a voice he hears of an unclean spirit: Down rush, descend, flee, because Philip our persecutor to the mountain ascends, and straightway will consume us the fire. But that voice was of the spirit, who had asked in that place to dwell, and this said to the other spirits, who from far-off shores had gathered. Then said Eusebius to Philip the sacred Presbyter: Venerable father, what is that voice? But he answered, There have migrated hither from remote places unclean spirits: but we fixed let us remain in prayer, that the merciful God through our prayers may rebuke them, and hence expel. Them praying therefore, leaped forth from the temple fire like a torrent, and expelled them from that place. For at what hour the spirit's voice was heard, whether by night or by day, in that place, which was called ^a Katopedontes, that is the down-rushers, suddenly fell a stone, and slew either a man, or a boy, or a beast whatsoever. But from that day whole and unhurt remained, as many men or beasts as through the Catopedontes place passed.

[27] Then to him said Eusebius the Monk: Truly, Philip, a disciple thee thou hast shown of him, he is praised by Eusebius, who Presbyter thee consecrated, Peter: to whom to be fed Christ's sheepfold was committed, that he should feed men as sheep, and boys as lambs: similarly also thou thy flock keepest from beasts wild and wolves, that is from unclean spirits, from all harmful them by thy wisdom guarding. Indeed ought the whole West thy case golden to make, and thy temple's pavement with silver to spread, and prayers to thee daily to offer. For nothing is under the sun, which can be repaid for the benefits, which through thy merits individuals have received. all to God he attributes: Philip but to Eusebius answered: Be the name of the Lord blessed, Brother, who freely has mercy, and saves the whole world: because we all, since we are sinners, nothing of good doing, what worthy of His glory to be offered by us can or equal to His benefits, the perpetual upon us of His grace gifts He derives. ^b

[28] A man a certain one wealthy very much, from the Palermitan city, but children lacking, very much was afflicted: he when of B. Philip's miracles he heard, a Palermitan citizen by a hidden vow came to the Agyrium place, and sees from afar the Saint before the doors of the temple sitting, and says to his servants: Lo truly the star, which to see I desired: whom also by night in dreams I saw calling me, and with cheerful countenance inviting, lo himself it is. But if from God's will was the vision which to me appeared, his seat left he will call us, and to enter into the temple will order to pray, and will interrogate, Whence are ye, brothers, why hither came ye? But the man S. Philip, as if a divine revelation received, rising at once from the seat, in which he sat, said to Eusebius the monk: Call cheerfully them, who from afar come to us. And straightway called them with cheerful countenance Eusebius, saying: Well are ye come, pilgrims, he satisfies him: he calls you our Father Philip the Presbyter, for whose cause from abroad ye have come. Which heard the man with great joy suffused, to God gave thanks, that whom he sought he had found, and his vow he had obtained: but he ordered, that he should pray. After these things many gifts, which he had brought, before his feet he cast, saying: Father, thou knowest God revealing, for what cause I came. And the Saint, I know, said, but thou home return, and what thou desirest, will be to thee according to thy faith.

[29] And when home he had returned, he found his wife rejoicing at a vision, which to her by night had appeared. She saw for B. Philip saying to her: and assigns to him a son Behold, returning thy husband, from him thou shalt conceive, and a son thou shalt bear, whom Philip thou shalt call, and the blessing of God be with you. Which when from her had learned the husband, wondering within himself he said; Blessed, Lord God, who doest marvels, who also to those far placed as in a moment near makest Thy mercy, through the venerable Presbyter Philip, above all who invoke Thee in truth. He narrated moreover the man to his wife, how he had learned what in mind he desired, and Eusebius the monk had sent before, and the cause of his coming had known. And shortly after bore a male the wife to her husband, and called him Philip. And when of years he was about eight, to the holy Hierarch Philip him she offered, saying: Behold, Father, the fruit of thy prayers. But he kindly by the hand taking, who at his command at eight years is offered to God, offers him to the temple, and blesses, and said to him: Go, son, to the borders of thy birth, and build a temple to the Lord, and there will be His blessing with thee. And returning the boy together with his father, afterwards a Deacon was made under the Bishop of Palermo: and gave to him a mandate Philip our Father, that never gold he should care for or silver, but that all his goods, which he had and would have, he should distribute among the poor. Which also he did, and gave that man glory to God, together with his son his, through the whole life, all things always distributing to the poor.

[30] But receiving the boy Philip from the venerable Presbyter Philip one of his tunics, and the girdle of Philip received a withered man he heals, and a napkin one, and a girdle, with which his loins he girded, in his memory; while he returns, he met on the way a man by a serpent wasted. And wishing the Saint's cures to imitate the boy, the girdle being loosed, which from the Saint he had received, he girded the withered man lying, saying; In the name of S. Philip arise whole and unhurt. He rose forthwith whole, as before praise to God saying: and wondered very much the younger Philip at what had happened, that not only present diseases he cured, but his garments diseases expelled. Hearing moreover this the citizens of Palermo, the Palermitans rejoicing, that the tunics of the Saint were carried by Philip the Younger, returning into the Palermitan city, and that miracles through them were done; they rejoiced above measure, saying: Blessed be God, since He has had mercy on us unworthy and sinners the most holy Philip, his venerable tunics to us sending, to heal infirmities ours: and what to him we worthy to repay can we? Prayers, and supplicating orations to Philip? But his prayer, which for us all he makes, our all gifts surpasses, than gold and stone precious and sapphire more precious. And one could see the crowd nothing else speaking, than, Glory be to God, who glorifies those who love Him. And there was made that day a rejoicing, so that God Himself to be present they seemed to think the inhabitants.

[31] But straightway an Abbot a certain one, an unclean spirit suffering, Philip coming, as he had entered the first gate of the city, and a demoniac he frees. exclaimed: Well art thou come, younger Philip, with the holy garments, which thou bringest of Philip the Presbyter. For I in this hour hasten to him, that I may be freed from the infestation of an unclean spirit. Then he said to him: Go most quickly, return to my Lord and my master, the holy Father and Presbyter Philip, and by him thou shalt be cured: which also was done. When he had gone moreover the Abbot, he found Philip departed to the Lord.

[32] But he after a life pleasing to God and all the miracles which I have said, forty days before his death, he prescribes the sepulture to be made for himself and Eusebius appeared to one of the chief men of the region, by name Belisarius: and taking his servants, he came to the Agyrium place, and showed him in dreams the delineation of a church, in the manner of a Cross to be built: and he built also two cases, the upper indeed for Eusebius the monk, who his life wrote and miracles: but the lower for his sacred relics. Built the same Belisarius his sacred temple: and piously dying for forty days before his death he performed his fortieth-day memory's funeral rites, and the divine mysteries being discharged, falling down the Saint at his sepulchre, opening his mouth his, said: This is my rest unto the world of the world. Lord into Thy hands I commend my spirit: for he who in Thee sincerely believes, although he die, shall live. And so he fell asleep in the Lord ^c.

[33] But that after his death also God's servant fountains of cures might pour forth; he is renowned for miracles, to his sacred case approaching Eulalius the monk from Palermo city, by an unclean spirit grievously vexed, and having entered the temple, said: Me at the sepulchre to roll it behoves, until I obtain health. And straightway extending his hand the Saint with the tome, when he had signed him, he presently whole was made, by the highest Trinity's grace. But the fame of his miracles being spread, there ran together a multitude great of those ill at the sepulchre: came moreover on the fortieth day after his consummation a man a certain one, by name Eutropius, whose halved part of the body was withered: and standing at the bier and applying himself, straightway whole was made. Approaching moreover to the bier with fear and desire, he frees all from temptations, and perils and unclean spirits, evil calumny and civil war, from various diseases and the fields' sterility, from the perils of rivers and of the sea, from the wrath of God and of Princes, those who his annual memory with faith and fear celebrate ^d.

[34] The most holy man Philip lived years about sixty-three, and rested in peace. There is held the annual his commemoration of his death in the month of May, The space of his life. on the twelfth day, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, with whom glory to the Father we render and to the Only-begotten Son His Word? to whom glory and power unto ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS

ANOTHER APOCRYPHAL LIFE

Falsely attributed to S. Athanasius of Alexandria.

Philip the Presbyter, Wonder-Worker (St.) Eusebius the monk, Confessor, at Agyrium in Sicily (St.) Philip the Deacon, at Panormus in Sicily (St.)

BHL Number: 6819

FROM CAJETAN.

PROLOGUE.

[1] Just as the Sun to those beholding, so to those hearing the discourse of the Saints light brings: The memory of the Saints useful, and as the stars to heaven are an ornament, so the Saints the Church, whom it in its as it were bosom embraces, illustrate. For what in the meadows are the flowers, that are the Saints in the Churches. The memory of the Saints to those, who by evil spirits are besieged, a quiet and tranquil mind, to the infirm solace, life to all, and a firm health of body affords. Of great men great are the contests; of the Martyrs, and of the Saints splendid crowns, who all things of this world for nothing counted. Which mind that to them might repay the Lord God, He caused that with the holy Angels perpetually they should live. For when them to assail the ancient enemy of the human race thought, nothing else, than to heaven more familiar them he rendered. With great voices moreover it must be sounded, with how great hardness of life they exercised themselves, and with how great spirit to the contemplation of divine things they were lifted: whose for voice into the whole earth went forth, and in speaking the faculty to the extreme ends of the world was carried, of them assuredly the praise to the same place to be borne by merit it behoves. But who anywhere is, who himself able hopes of S. Philip of Agyrium, commonly Argyrium called, the contests equally and miracles for their merit to commend? For he the crowd of demons expelled, he a flux of blood stilled, he a withered hand to health restored, he finally a dead man raised. and among those S. Philip of Agyrium. Of which indeed all the glory to God, of things all the Curator and President, to attribute we ought: from whom the faculty and grace into His servants emanates, by which not to resist only, but also to trample the enemy's forces easily they may be able. Wherefore also David, says: Wonderful is God in His Saints; and again: The just one, as the palm shall flourish, and as the cedar, which in Lebanon is, shall be multiplied: and Solomon, The just one if by death he be snatched away, and again, The souls of the just are in the hand of God, nor shall touch them torment: for these causes for the favor of the Son of God Jesus Christ, His Saint's miracles to narrate we have undertaken.

NARRATION.

[2] In the times of the ruling ^a Nero there was [b] at Rome a man a certain one pious, Theodosius by name; to him was a wife [c] Anesia called, from Bethsaida the town of Andrew and Peter; were these both most Christian and most learned, although the wife's [d] sterility of both the mind not a little depressed and dejected: The parents long sterile, which for cause with alms and prayers day and night assiduously they were occupied, God earnestly asking, that offspring to them He might concede. But on a certain day went the wife into the temple apart, that she might pray; and her mouth opened with tears she said to the Lord: God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who heaven with a span, with a fist the earth measurest, who sittest upon the chariot of the Cherubim, to whom stand the Angels crying, and saying Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of Sabaoth; hear today Thy handmaid's prayers, and as the womb of Sarah Thou didst bless, and gavest that a son she should bear Isaac; and as Anna, who Mary ever Virgin and the Angels' Lady bore, Thou didst bless; so also to me of my womb a fruit some bestow, that to Thy holy name I may give glory.

[3] These and other things when she had said, she returned to her house her: a son by prayers obtained whose tears and prayers not despising God omnipotent, what she had asked granted: and bore she ^e a little boy male; which received the parents vehemently rejoiced. But he when in age he seemed fit, began to things to be done and to tradings his mind to apply, as the custom bears of this world. But when he was on a certain day into another place set out for the sake of trading, and after his custom sheep and oxen, and other likewise animals four-footed had bought, and his return to his native soil prepared; by the work of a demon he perished. For that of all evils the author and prince, who nothing not hates of good, beholding the offspring's and parents' felicity, they lament him drowned: and that with the highest sincerity and confidence before God they walked, by envy stimulated, and a great rain being excited, the river [f], which was to be crossed by the youth, so increased, that with the same force both the animals and the animals' master it submerged. This bitter and sudden tidings of the death of their only-begotten son received, the parents into mournings and lamentations burst: and the mother herself first wailing and groaning, Woe to me, she said, woe to me! my bowels I feel disturbed. Alas, alas! where is dead my son? Where, I say, that thither set out, my gray head upon his most beautiful face hairless I may make, for neither thee henceforth, my son, am I to see. Where art thou my light? Not indeed for thy cause, but for ours descended this river, which thee snatched away, and us of our inheritance a good part deprived. Now whatever to me of life remains, that all in mourning and weeping, my son, I will pass, until I too hence departing to thee may set out.

[4] These things being said and others, again their each one to the Lord prayer poured, and another they ask, him about to consecrate to God: and falling down God in these words they besought: Lord, give us another offspring: and if indeed a male we shall have begotten, him to Thee we will consecrate in the ministry of Thy temple in the city of Rome, that there to Thee he may serve, and pleasing to Thy majesty may render obsequy: and we will offer him to Thee, not otherwise than Joachim Mary the Virgin. Moreover God the patience and humility of them noticing, a second son, as to Anna another Samuel, to them gave, to whom the name Philip was imposed. Him although with great affection they educated, yet in fear and trembling they kept.

[5] And when the twelfth year of age he had attained, what concerning him they had determined the parents in these to him words opened: We promised, son, in the sight of the Lord, who at twelve to Rome hastening to S. Peter. if offspring to us He should give, and it should be male, that we it would dedicate to the temple of the Lord. Wherefore we wish, my son mine, that to Rome thou betake thyself, where our kinsman the most holy Peter, the Roman Pontiff, of Christ the Lord the disciple, thou shalt find; to whose thee committing judgment, thou shalt give effort, that God thou mayest please and men, and the name of God through thee may be glorified. These things Philip when he had heard, gladly what was commanded received, and not many days after said to his father his. Father, if me to Rome thou wilt (as thou hadst said) set out, bless me, and to the most holy Pope write letters, that I may go away, God so willing. Which hearing the father wrote all things, which had happened concerning his son this: and Philip having received from his part letters and money, as much as for the journey was needful, and also of each parent the blessing, rejoicing went out: and when to the shore he had descended, the ship being boarded he set out.

[6] But after into the [h] Italic gulf they came, blowing more vehemently the wind, and tossed by a tempest, and being made on the sea no small tempest, the ship nearly was submerged. But the sailors by this peril dismayed the divine help implored, and that themselves from the surge of waves so great God would rescue, they prayed. Philip also the tempest's magnitude having noticed, his knees set in this prayed: Lord God, who heaven, earth, sea, and all things which in them are, didst create, let us not I beseech swallow the gulf of so great a sea, nor now let us die: he stills it. but as Jonah the Prophet from the whale's belly after the third day Thou didst save, so us from the present peril free. When of praying an end he made, great straightway was made a tranquillity; which when the sailors perceived from the boy's prayers to have followed; by the wonder of the matter moved, God most good and great they praised, who His grace to the Saints bestows.

[6] But they came into the [i] Crete island, and there seven days having tarried, restored what for the journey were necessary, thence having departed, by a happy navigation to Rome were carried. But when thither it was come, into a lodging a certain one, where also other certain Christians dwelt, they turned aside. from S. Peter divinely admonished But that night felt Peter, the Pontiff and Apostle of Jesus Christ, within himself a divine inspiration, which said: Send one who may summon thy kinsman, and faithful servant mine Philip by name: in a lodging for he is, and him into the temple of the Lord introduce. But Peter calling one of his ministers: Enter, said, [k] into the City, and its right part seeking, thou wilt meet a man, Philip by name in a lodging staying. Him thou in my name to be greeted bid, and hither to us bring. Set out he, the found man in these words greeted: Peace to thee. Let us go, said, to the most holy Pope. At the name of the Pontiff rejoicing the youth, the minister having followed, the temple [l] entered: and there after the custom prayer being made, beholding B. Peter, himself onto the pavement cast, kindly he is received; and at the feet of the holy Pontiff fell down. Whom he kindly by the hand received raising, Say, said, youth, from what place, or from what region comest thou? And when the offered by the youth epistle he had read through; he learned what concerning him was written: whom most humanely embracing and kissing, he asked concerning his parents, that they were well, and that with them it went. Which when he had been one by one by Philip taught, thanks gave to God.

[7] But Philip there remaining with the Apostle, and to fastings and vigils being given, with his whole mind toward God intent, and taught also the holy letters and of the holy Scripture's mysteries perceived, in life and morals illustrious, great himself before God and men he approved. and to sacred things initiated But seeing Peter the virtue of his greatness into the number of the Deacons him he received, and then a Priest constituted, and of the ineffable mysteries made him a participant.

[8] In those times a prodigious thing very much happened, in the western parts of the world. For there was in the island of Sicily a mount a certain one Agyrion, or, as the common people, Argyrion called. against the infestations of a demon. Its inhabitants and the around neighboring agitated the demons, and oppressed so much, that some into the sea they plunged, others within whatsoever waters they choked, some headlong from high places they cast down. The Christians indeed, who then there were, a council being gathered ^m, a man one in virtue distinguished chose, whom to the blessed Pope with little writings they sent as legate, in which was written, That they prayed the holy Pontiff's Beatitude, that through the divine clemency and mercy a man some in piety illustrious to them he would send who the demons, their region infesting, and the Christians into the sea plunging, put to flight and conquer might be able.

[9] These letters when to him brought the Pontiff read through, with wonder of so great a matter taken, called to himself the Priest Philip thus addresses: Go, says, into the island of Sicily, into Sicily he is destined, into the mount Agyrion, and the thrice entwined and turned dragon the enemy of truth bind, that from his hand the human race thou mayest free. Then Philip, I am not, said, of this ministry worthy, since my iniquities have gone over my head. To whom the Pontiff, Render, said, obedience and set out. with the Cross. But I the venerable and life-giving Cross, and the grace and power to thee will give, which from my Lord I received, when He said: Lepers cleanse, demons cast out: freely you have received, freely give. Then the holy Priest to obey wishing, and presently to modesty and humility composed, in this manner answered. Command, Venerable Father, let be present only to us the Lord, nor let us Thy Holiness's prayers fail, and send me wherever to God it shall seem good. The Pontiff therefore letters being written, and poured as he was wont prayer, with a blessing by him given into Sicily him dismissed.

[10] But he came first to Catania, and thence into the Agyrion mount ascended, who having set out to Agyrion, and on it by all the people with honor and veneration was received. But there began after his coming the demons all things to disturb, and those who by unclean spirits were held, into flight to turn themselves. But the Saint his knees set prayed, and to those who were present commanded, that the possessed all to him they should bring. the demoniacs he frees: Who as themselves to be forced they saw, to gnash with a horrible voice, and foam from their teeth to emit began. At last by the Holy Trinity's power, in which is of life the fountain and beginning, whole them and of themselves possessed he rendered: by which thing of his name the celebrity into the whole island was divulged ⁿ.

[11] Then there approached to him a man a certain one pious, whose daughter by demons was agitated, years thirteen old. The Saint moreover poured in this prayer, to health restored, and in mind quiet and sober to the father into his hands delivered: who her received with joy and exultation departed.

[12] Another John by name, by a demon's work near a fountain was found dead: a dead man he raises whom thrice by his name called, as Christ Lazarus, the Saint prayer being made into life brought back. But the spirit wicked unto the end of the ages with indissoluble bonds he condemned, and John to his parents, not otherwise than to Martha Christ Lazarus, restored.

[13] Another by name Eutropius a hand had withered, this the Saint by his prayers to health pristine restored, and thence he rejoicing, blessing, a withered hand he cures: and praising God, departed.

[14] A woman a certain one a miscarriage having suffered, a fetus in her womb had, now [o] three before days dead, to her the Saint ordered [p] Ambrose his Minister water to be drunk to offer. a woman in labor he frees Which drunk up, straightway from the labor's molestation, in which now for three days she had labored, freed she was, and praise and glory to God omnipotent rendered.

[15] he stays a flux of blood: Another woman, who a flux of blood was suffering, and various of physicians remedies having tried to be cured not had been able, to the Saint approaching, fell down at the feet of him, and straightway that flux ceased: and she went away God praising and glorifying.

[16] A man a certain one, called Athanasius, when amid cultivating a vineyard with labor wearied under a tree he had fallen asleep, he heals one struck by a viper: a viper his hand bit: but he from the grief waking cried out, and all but dead appeared. But running to the Saint, he fell at the feet of him, and said: Holy one of God, help me. Prayer moreover by B. Philip being made, the venom from his hand went out, and it itself into its pristine state was restored. Moreover Athanasius, by so great a benefit moved, praise equally and glory gave to the Lord.

[17] A shepherd a certain one, whose sheep wolves frequently coming choked, the wolves from the sheepfold he wards off: and who not sufficiently knew by what reason them from his flock to ward off; (for there were many) came to Philip, and falling down at the feet of him, Holy one of God, said, bring help. To whom the Saint, In what matter? Of the wolves, said he, a multitude our flock infests, whom neither resist can we on account of the multitude. Then the Saint bent down, of dust a little took, which to him offering, Take, said, this dust, and with this thy sheep sprinkle: which if thou shalt do, they will not enter henceforth the wolves into the sheepfold your.

[18] Three men, together a journey making, into a lodging a certain one turned aside. Of these one secretly by night having opened [q] the innkeeper's chest, a sufficiently great sum stole. But the innkeeper on the following day, the stolen money he detects: when the chest he had seen opened, those three detained, asking which of them the money had stolen. Which when they heard, what to say they knew not they answered: Let us go, said the innkeeper, to Divine Philip: he also what we seek straightway will disclose. Thither moreover having set out, when the matter all to the Saint they had narrated, the thief being straightway known, This is, said the Saint, who thy gold has stolen. And straightway his hand withered, who the theft had committed; for which reason most quickly falling down, the Saint's feet he embraced, crying and saying, Holy one of God have mercy on me, but I the received gold will restore. Which when in fact he had performed, suddenly into its pristine state his hand was changed.

[19] Many also other miracles, and beyond measure to be wondered at prodigies when the Saint had done, other miracles he wrought: lepers cleansing, and every of diseases kind from human bodies driving away, he descended at last from the Argyrium mount into a place a certain one [r] separated from the city of Messina, by three of paces thousand, commonly… called: where having built a cell together with certain religious men in age equally and morals approved he dwelt to fastings and vigils and prayers being given assiduously. Many also in that place miracles he wrought, and especially in expelling unclean spirits another himself Elias he showed; nor by word less than by work a Saint himself he proved. and after a pious life dying an old man, But since in speaking he was eloquent and ready, by no means that faculty idly or in vain possessed: but in the divine praises chanting most holily occupied, holily also and according to God's will his flock he ruled; with the highest zeal to spiritual exercises intent, and in life and morals grave. Finally when of his life the years with all virtue he had run through, in honest old age he migrated to the Lord. But of his funeral the sacred Relics, and worthy of all veneration body, on the Argyrium mount he is buried. into the Argyrium mount was translated. But from his case most precious various emanate remedies and of diseases cures: and unto the present day miracles to do not ceases of God omnipotent the grace; to whom befits glory, dominion, and adoration, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.