St Oswald's Magazine StOM 1610 | Page 12

11 October St Philip the Deacon (First Century) This is not the apostle Philip but like Stephen a Greek, one of the deacons, ‘men of good standing, full of the Spirit and wisdom’, chosen by the apostles to take over the task of distributing food. Their work was soon extended beyond helping at tables, since Acts 8 tells of Philip preaching and healing. Even Simon the Magician was converted, although later condemned for trying to buy the Holy Spirit. We learn of Philip meeting the chief treasurer of the Queen of Ethiopia and baptising him, after