When He Who is God and the Only Sinless Son of God, Who came in the likeness of man to save the sinful human race, was leaving Capernaum, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at his custom-booth, and said to him, "Follow Me." Hearing these words not only with his bodily ears but with those of his soul as well, the publican forsook everything and followed after Christ. Christ visited his home, and Matthew set a meal before the Lord; and Matthew's neighbors, friends, and many of his acquaintances, publicans and sinners, came to dine with Jesus and His Disciples. Seeing that the Lord did not shun these people but sat at table with them, the Pharisees and Scribes said to His Disciples, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?"

The Nativity Fast is a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the Orthodox Christians, in preparation for the Divine Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (December 25th). The holy fast runs 40 days and focuses on the proclamation and glorification of the Incarnation of God.

Saint Philip was born in Bethsaida near the Sea of Galilee, as were Saints Peter and Andrew. Instructed in the Holy Scripture (Old Testament) from his youth, Philip immediately responded to the call of Christ and followed Him (John 1:43). After the descent of God the Holy Spirit, Philip preached the Gospel with zeal in many regions of Asia Minor and in Greece, where the Jews sought to kill him but the Lord saved him by the might His wonders.