Philip the Roman

Holy Martyr Philip the Roman was one of the seven sons of the holy martyr Felicitas: Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalis and Martial. The family suffered at Rome, around the year 164.

Felicitas came from a rich Roman family. The pagan priests accused her of offending the gods by spreading the Christian faith. Saint Felicitas gave away all her property and, with her sons, openly confessed faith in Christ. All were put to torments. Seeing the sufferings of her sons, Saint Felicitas prayed to God that they might stand firm in the struggle and enter the Kingdom of Heaven before her. All the sons died as martyrs before their mother's eyes, and after them she herself received the end of martyrdom.

Saint Gregory the Dialogist delivered a eulogy for Saint Felicitas in his third homily, preached in the church that bears her name. The Azbyka page says nothing separate about Philip. The saints are commemorated on 7 February.