Ss. Philip and James

Today is the feast of Ss. Philip and James the Apostles. St. Philip, who was born in Palestine, was an Apostle and a confidant of Jesus. He brought St. Nathaniel to Jesus and preached in Asia Minor and Greece. St. Philip was martyred around the year 80 in Phrygia. St. Philip is patron saint of hatters and pastry chefs. St. James was an Apostle and the first bishop of Jerusalem. He was also one of the first to see the risen Christ. St. James died for his faith around the year 62 when he was beaten with clubs while he prayed for his attackers. Due to this association with clubs, St. James is patron saint of fullers and pharmacists.