Philip, a venerable old man, bishop of Heraclea, the metropolis of Thrace, was an illustrious martyr of Christ in the persecution of Diocletian. He was careful to train many disciples in the study of sacred learning, and in the practice of solid piety. Two of his disciples, Serverus, a priest, and Hermes, a deacon, had the happiness to be companions in martyrdom. In 304, they were ordered to be burned “that others may learn to obey.”