E06926: Aldhelm, in his poem On the Altars of the Twelve Apostles, records the dedication of an altar to *Philip (the Apostle, S00109), presumably in Britain. Written in Latin in southern Britain, c. 670/710.

Aldhelm, Carmina Ecclesiastica, 4.8

VIII. IN SANCTI PHILIPPI
Hic quoque commemorat metrorum comma Philippum,
Quem pius aethrali ditavit gratia Christus;
Barbara qui docuit doctrinis agmina sacris
Credere per Scithiam salvantem saecula Christum,
Qui dudum tetra torpebant mortis in umbra
Auctorem lucis tenebroso corde negantes
Atque creaturae famulantes ordine verso,
Donec apostolicam hauserunt aure loquelam.
Limpida perpetui cernentes lumina Phoebi
Omnes certatim merguntur gurgite sacro
Flagitium sceleris purgantes fonte lavacri.
Inde Asiam properat sanctis convertere biblis,
Idola quae dudum decepta fraude colebat,
Credula sed citius pandit praecordia Christo,
Splendida discipuli dum fantis verba capessit.
Sic felix Asiae convertit dogmate regnum,
In qua post obitum fatali sorte quiescit;
Cuius hoc templum sacrata tuebitur ara.


'viii. On St Philip
Here too the measure of my verses commemorates St Philip, whom the holy Christ enriched with heavenly grace. With his holy teaching Philip taught the barbarous multitudes throughout Scythia to believe in Christ Who is the Saviour throughout all ages. Until then the Scythians were lying listless in the dark shadow of death, denying the Creator of Light in their blackened hearts and perversely worshipping His creation, until (at length) their ears took in the preaching of the apostle. Gazing now on the clear light of the Perpetual Sun [i.e. Christ], they are all eagerly immersed in holy water, thereby cleansing the shame of their sin in the fountain of baptism.

Thereupon Philip hastens with holy books to convert Asia, a continent which, misled by deception, formerly worshipped idols; but it quickly opened its believing hearts to Christ as it took in the glorious words of the disciple's preaching. Thus did the blessed man convert the realm of Asia with his teaching. He was laid to rest in Asia after his death through final destiny. The altar dedicated in his name shall protect this church.'


Text: Ehwald 1919, 27-8. Translation: Lapidge and Rosier 1985, 55.