Saint Philip in Phrygia and Saint Matthew in Ethiopia
After Pentecost, Philip and Bartholomew departed for Geshur, on the borders of Syria. In this city, Philip healed a sick woman. At first, he was well received; later, he was persecuted. Philip then traveled to Phrygia, where he won many pagans over to the faith of Christ. In Hierapolis of Phrygia, he was brought before a statue of Mars by the priests to offer incense. From beneath the altar itself emerged a serpent, which killed two tribunes and the son of the idol's priest. The holy apostle raised the three dead men back to life. Despite this, he was scourged and subsequently crucified.
Many wished to take him down from the cross while he was still alive, but he begged them to let him die as his Lord and Master had died. While he was still on the cross, he was stoned until they saw he was dead. His martyrdom occurred in the year 81 AD.
Saint Matthew preached for 25 years in Ethiopia, during which time he converted a great multitude to the faith of Christ, including King Hegesippus with his entire family. The king's daughter, Iphigenia, resolved to consecrate herself to God in a state of virginity and was confirmed in this purpose by the holy apostle. When the king's uncle—who had seized the kingdom and desired Iphigenia as his wife—learned of this, he ordered the holy apostle to be killed. While celebrating the divine offices at the altar, the holy apostle was pierced through with a spear.