Posted on 07/27/2011 6:39:32 AM PDT by marshmallow
D'Andria said the structure of the tomb and the writings on it proved that it belonged to St. Philip the Apostle, who is recognized as a martyr in the history of Christianity
The tomb of St. Philip the Apostle, one of the original 12 disciples of Christianity's central figure Jesus Christ, has been discovered during the ongoing excavations in Turkey's south-western province of Denizli.
Italian professor Francesco D'Andria, the head of the excavation team at the Hierapolis ancient city in Denizli, told reporters on Tuesday that experts had reached the tomb of St. Philip whose name is mentioned in the Bible as one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus.
Professor D'Andria said archeologists had been working for years to find the tomb of the Biblical figure, and finally, they had managed to reach the monument while working on the ruins of a newly-unearthed church in Hierapolis.
D'Andria said the structure of the tomb and the writings on it proved that it belonged to St. Philip the Apostle, who is recognized as a martyr in the history of Christianity.
Describing the discovery as a major development both for archeology and the Christian world, D'Andria said the tomb, which had not been opened yet, was expected to become an important Christian pilgrimage destination.
Hierapolis, whose name means "sacred city", is an ancient city located next to the renowned Pamukkale, white Travertine terraces, in Denizli province. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city, famous for its historical hot springs used as a spa since the 2nd century, is a mixture of Pagan, Roman, Jewish and early Christian influences.
(Excerpt) Read more at worldbulletin.net ...
Yep!
CHAPTER I
History of Christian Martyrs to the First General Persecutions
Under Nero
Christ our Savior, in the Gospel of St. Matthew, hearing the confession of Simon Peter, who, first of all other, openly acknowledged Him to be the Son of God, and perceiving the secret hand of His Father therein, called him (alluding to his name) a rock, upon which rock He would build His Church so strong that the gates of hell should not prevail against it. In which words three things are to be noted: First, that Christ will have a Church in this world. Secondly, that the same Church should mightily be impugned, not only by the world, but also by the uttermost strength and powers of all hell. And, thirdly, that the same Church, notwithstanding the uttermost of the devil and all his malice, should continue.
Which prophecy of Christ we see wonderfully to be verified, insomuch that the whole course of the Church to this day may seem nothing else but a verifying of the said prophecy. First, that Christ hath set up a Church, needeth no declaration. Secondly, what force of princes, kings, monarchs, governors, and rulers of this world, with their subjects, publicly and privately, with all their strength and cunning, have bent themselves against this Church! And, thirdly, how the said Church, all this notwithstanding, hath yet endured and holden its own! What storms and tempests it hath overpast, wondrous it is to behold: for the more evident declaration whereof, I have addressed this present history, to the end, first, that the wonderful works of God in His Church might appear to His glory; also that, the continuance and proceedings of the Church, from time to time, being set forth, more knowledge and experience may redound thereby, to the profit of the reader and edification of Christian faith.
As it is not our business to enlarge upon our Savior’s history, either before or after His crucifixion, we shall only find it necessary to remind our readers of the discomfiture of the Jews by His subsequent resurrection. Although one apostle had betrayed Him; although another had denied Him, under the solemn sanction of an oath; and although the rest had forsaken Him, unless we may except “the disciple who was known unto the high-priest”; the history of His resurrection gave a new direction to all their hearts, and, after the mission of the Holy Spirit, imparted new confidence to their minds. The powers with which they were endued emboldened them to proclaim His name, to the confusion of the Jewish rulers, and the astonishment of Gentile proselytes.
I. St. Stephen
St. Stephen suffered the next in order. His death was occasioned by the faithful manner in which he preached the Gospel to the betrayers and murderers of Christ. To such a degree of madness were they excited, that they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. The time when he suffered is generally supposed to have been at the passover which succeeded to that of our Lord’s crucifixion, and to the era of his ascension, in the following spring.
Upon this a great persecution was raised against all who professed their belief in Christ as the Messiah, or as a prophet. We are immediately told by St. Luke, that “there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;” and that “they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the “persecution that arose about Stephen.”
II. James the Great
The next martyr we meet with, according to St. Luke, in the History of the Apsotles’ Acts, was James the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John, and a relative of our Lord; for his mother Salome was cousin-german to the Virgin Mary. It was not until ten years after the death of Stephen that the second martyrdom took place; for no sooner had Herod Agrippa been appointed governor of Judea, than, with a view to ingratiate himself with them, he raised a sharp persecution against the Christians, and determined to make an effectual blow, by striking at their leaders. The account given us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle’s extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Savior he was ready to drink. Timon and Parmenas suffered martyrdom about the same time; the one at Philippi, and the other in Macedonia. These events took place A.D. 44.
III. Philip
Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of “disciple.” He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.
IV. Matthew
Whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.
V. James the Less
Is supposed by some to have been the brother of our Lord, by a former wife of Joseph. This is very doubtful, and accords too much with the Catholic superstition, that Mary never had any other children except our Savior. He was elected to the oversight of the churches of Jerusalem; and was the author of the Epistle ascribed to James in the sacred canon. At the age of ninety-four he was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.
VI. Matthias
Of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.
VII. Andrew
Was the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations; but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew’s Cross.
VIII. St. Mark
Was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have been converted to Christianity by Peter, whom he served as an amanuensis, and under whose inspection he wrote his Gospel in the Greek language. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great solemnity of Serapis their idol, ending his life under their merciless hands.
IX. Peter
Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, “Lord, whither dost Thou go?” To whom He answered and said, “I am come again to be crucified.” By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.
X. Paul
Paul, the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this first persecution under Nero. Abdias, declareth that under his execution Nero sent two of his esquires, Ferega and Parthemius, to bring him word of his death. They, coming to Paul instructing the people, desired him to pray for them, that they might believe; who told them that shortly after they should believe and be baptised at His sepulcher. This done, the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.
XI. Jude
The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A.D. 72.
XII. Bartholomew
Preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.
XIII. Thomas
Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.
XIV. Luke
The evangelist, was the author of the Gospel which goes under his name. He travelled with Paul through various countries, and is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece.
XV. Simon
Surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, in which latter country he was crucified, A.D. 74.
XVI. John
The “beloved disciple,” was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.
XVII. Barnabas
Was of Cyprus, but of Jewish descent, his death is supposed to have taken place about A.D. 73.
And yet, notwithstanding all these continual persecutions and horrible punishments, the Church daily increased, deeply rooted in the doctrine of the apostles and of men apostolical, and watered plentously with the blood of saints.
http://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/fox101.htm
No doubt there is plenty of mixed blood - that always follows this kind of conquest - but they are still a distinct ethnic group, and no self-respecting Greek or Armenian would claim ethnic commonality, either as a matter of genetics or of character.
Aha!
A. your ``No one in the first century talked about being a Roman Catholic``.
So you have heard every word that was spoken from the year 3 B.C. until the year 99 A.D.
Give me a break!
But you did hit the nail on the head.
There was an oral tradition from A.D. 33 and before from many sources:
1) the followers of John the Baptist still in Iraq and St. Mark in Egypt
2) the oral traditions of the 12 Apostles in India, Ethiopia, Spain etc. until St. Paul`s first epistle in 50`s?.
Thus there is almost 20 years of talking by the disciples, apostles and others which wasn`t written down-
This is called the oral tradition of the Church, i.e., the Magisterium, the oral teaching of the Church, because Christ taught orally to his apostles and disciples, and the early Church followed his example.
Ergo you assumption A. above cannot be proven.
But the first catechism was written down before much of the New Testament was written down.
Thus the Church existed in ROME in the first century and even before that existed in the Holy Land: `Matthew 16: 18 And I say to you: That you are Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ...`
.`
[I wonder where St. Peter was?]
In Instanbul?
He was in ROME.
`Taken in the sense of “the act of teaching” and “the knowledge imparted by teaching”, this term is synonymous with CATECHESIS and CATECHISM. Didaskalia, didache, in the Vulgate, doctrina, are often used in the New Testament, especially in the Pastoral Epistles. As we might expect, the Apostle insists upon “doctrine” as one of the most important duties of a bishop (1 Timothy 4:13, 16; 5:17; 2 Timothy 4:2, etc.).
The word katechesis means instruction by word of mouth, especially by questioning and answering. Though it may apply to any subject-matter, it is commonly used for instruction in the elements of religion, especially preparation for initiation into Christianity. The word and others of the same origin occur in St. Luke’s Gospel: “That thou mayest know the verity of those things in which thou hast been instructed” (katechethes, in quibus eruditus es — i, 4). In Acts 18:25, Apollo is described as “instructed [katechemenos, edoctus] in the way of the Lord”. St. Paul uses the word twice: “I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct [katecheso, instruam] others also” (1 Corinthians 14:19); and “Let him that is instructed [ho katechoumenos, is qui catechizatur] in the word, communicate to him that instructeth [to katechounti, ei qui catechizat] him, in all good things” (Galatians 6:6). Hence the word, with its technical meaning of oral religious instruction, passed into ecclesiastical use, and is applied both to the act of instructing and the subject-matter of the instruction.`` newadvent.org
Again: A. your ``No one in the first century talked about being a Roman Catholic``.
It`s as if one would claim that there was no US government until the capitol was built in Washington DC because no one was calling themselves Washingtonics during the first years of the USA.
Your example limps.
.
While forgetting that Islam was not around until the 600’s.
Maybe because the live ones fail to live up to their calling by God to become saints.
That book took info from Catholic sources then made half truths mixed with lies. All scholars refute that book not being true. But so called Christian bookstores in their prejudice still stock the lies.
Thanks marshmallow,Will have to do a little research on him.
I like how you narrowed it down to the 1st century... interesting. I assume you’ve read the student of John (the apostle), called Ignatius of Antioch (writing around 107-110 AD)? His letter to the Smyrneans re: docetists If not, if I give you a link, will you read it?
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0109.htm
If you need it in Greek or with commentaries from Lightfoot and others, let me know. There are also his other letters you may want to check out as well. You may run across Justin Martyr, Cyril of Jerusalem and others along the way.
Mail me when you get a chance.
Pride is a killer, I know. Pray for me as I pray for you.
God bless.
Very interesting discovery.
Less interesting is the threadnapper with the ginormous chip on its shoulder.
it never ceases to amaze me that some think they can seperate Jesus from His Body, The Church. and yes, the Universal ( Catholic ) Church was present in the apostolic age and yes, the Apostles were members of Christ’s Body, The Church. the shame is appearing to divide this Body in the eyes of the world, but of course this can’t be done, just as the gates of hell can’t prevail against the Church.
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When will the Turks go back to central Asia and leave Anatolian Greece and Armenia to their rightful Christian inhabitants?
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I think the Mongols would not be on board with this.
I was driven to get some additional info about Phillip. This quick and dirty account of his death is from Wikipedia.
“Later stories about Saint Philip’s life can be found in the anonymous Acts of Philip, probably written by a contemporary of Eusebius.[4] This non-canonical book recounts the preaching and miracles of Philip.
Following the resurrection of Jesus, Philip was sent with his sister Mariamne and Bartolomew to preach in Greece, Phrygia, and Syria.[5] Included in the Acts of Philip is an appendix, entitled “Of the Journeyings of Philip the Apostle: From the Fifteenth Act Until the End, and Among Them the Martyrdom.”
This appendix gives an account of Philip’s martyrdom in the city of Hierapolis.[6] According to this account, through a miraculous healing and his preaching Philip converted the wife of the proconsul of the city. This enraged the proconsul, and he had Philip, Bartholomew, and Mariamne all tortured.
Philip and Bartholomew were then crucified upside-down, and Philip preached from his cross. As a result of Philip’s preaching the crowd released Bartholomew from his cross, but Philip insisted that they not release him, and Philip died on the cross. Another legend is that he was martyred by beheading in the city of Hierapolis. The Catholic Church regards the accounts of his death as legendary. No reputable source describing Philip’s death has been found.[7]
Phillip sounds like a hell of a preacher to be able to preach Bartholomew off a cross under those circumstances.
Maybe they will be able to identify the body in the tomb if it has no head?
Yes. There are places in Presbyterian liturgy that refer to the Catholic church and it's meant in the sense of the church universal, not the Roman Catholic church.
I was thinking the same thing. Cease with the discrimination against Christians.
They are considered saints and martyrs of the Catholic church, as are all early Christians who died for the Word. Catholics revere them for their sacrifices and what they can teach us about how to live our faith. This does not detract from their Jewishness in any way. It is wrong for you to suggest otherwise. Our deep respect for the saints and martyrs is why we name our children after them instead of naming the kidlets after jewelry stores and mountains (Tiffany; Dakota).
Thank you for the succinct (and frightening) chronology of the apostles. When you read it all together like that, the martyrdems are breathtaking. It makes me realize that I have no credential to meet any of them in the afterlife.
sure he was.....while the term Roman Catholic was not yet in use, if he was baptized, he was a Roman Catholic. If you are baptized, you were baptized into the Catholic church...no choice. Baptism makes you a member of the church that Jesus Christ, Himself, founded.....and that was the Catholic church. You can't be baptized a Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist.....nope, you became a Catholic. Whether or not you practice the religion of Christ is another matter. The revoutionists (reformers) decided that they could do a better job of instituting a religion than could Christ and their followers are truly fallen away Catholics....come on back, we need you and you really need us!!!
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