Philip and James are two of the lesser-known apostles. Philip is listed as one of the twelve disciples and close friends of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, but all of the stories about him are found in the Gospel of John. In John 6:5-7, for example, he appears in the story of the feeding of the five thousand. In John 1:43-46, he seeks out Nathaniel and invites him to “come and see” Jesus.

James is called “James the Less” and we know very little about him because of a dearth of stories about him in the Gospels. However, the James who was at the cross with the women is often associated with this disciple.

The Collect:

O ALMIGHTY God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life; that, following the steps of thy holy Apostles, Saint Philip and Saint James, we may stedfastly walk in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

- from the Anglican Church of Canada's Book of Common Prayer, p. 274