The library · Edition and sources
Eusebius: Ecclesiastical History, Books I–X
NPNF historical edition · Translated text
Book III — Chapter XXXI — The Death of John and Philip.
Chapter XXXI.—The Death of John and Philip.
1. The time and the manner of the death of Paul and Peter as well as their burial places, have been already shown by us. Edition note 1
2. The time of John’s death has also been given in a general way, Edition note 2 but his burial place is indicated by an epistle of Polycrates Edition note 3 (who was bishop of the parish of Ephesus), addressed to Victor, Edition note 4 bishop of Rome. In this epistle he mentions him together with the apostle Philip and his daughters in the following words: Edition note 5
3.
“For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the last day, at the coming of the Lord, when he shall come with glory from heaven and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, Edition note 6 who sleeps in Hierapolis, Edition note 7 and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; Edition note 8 and moreover John, who was both a witness Edition note 9 and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and being a priest wore the sacerdotal plate. Edition note 10 He also sleeps at Ephesus.” Edition note 11
4. So much concerning their death. And in the Dialogue of Caius which we mentioned a little above, Edition note 12 Proclus, Edition note 13 against whom he directed his disputation, in agreement with what has been quoted, Edition note 14 speaks thus concerning the death of Philip and his daughters: “After him Edition note 15 there were four prophetesses, the daughters of Philip, at Hierapolis in Asia. Their tomb is there and the tomb of their father.” Such is his statement.
5. But Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles, mentions the daughters of Philip who were at that time at Cæsarea in Judea with their father, and were honored with the gift of prophecy. His words are as follows:
“We came unto Cæsarea; and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him. Now this man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” Edition note 16
6. We have thus set forth in these pages what has come to our knowledge concerning the apostles themselves and the apostolic age, and concerning the sacred writings which they have left us, as well as concerning those which are disputed, but nevertheless have been publicly used by many in a great number of churches, Edition note 17 and moreover, concerning those that are altogether rejected and are out of harmony with apostolic orthodoxy. Having done this, let us now proceed with our history.
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