The life of St Philip of Heraklion
They were taken to Philippopolis together with thirty seven soldiers who had likewise professed Christ. The governor had Memnon tortured first, then had Severus raked with iron hooks, burned with red hot iron, and finally blinded. Bishop Philip and the rest were then made to suffer the loss of their hands and feet before being cast into a fire that had been prepared for them. Bishop Philip died with his companions, keeping the faith to the end. The Church remembers the thirty seven soldiers together with him as a single company of martyrs under their bishop, and keeps each of their names in its own record of that day. This persecution is dated to the early fourth century under Diocletian, later than the era sometimes popularly attached to this saint's memory.
