Philippum, victor ab inferno

Description

"Philippum, victor ab inferno" "Philip, victor of hell" is an oil painting on canvas 15x20 cm, in which it depicts St. Philip of Agira, Protector of the city of Agira.

 History tells us that St. Philip, of Syrian origins, arrived in Rome to become a priest, and was given an important task by the Holy See. He was sent to Agira to be freed from the devil, he performed several miracles and healings, and in particular he fought against the evil that afflicted the town. Throughout his life he devoted himself to evangelizing and converting the faithful, legend tells of some clashes that took place directly with the devil, in particular in a fountain (now known as the Maimone fountain) where the population was supplied with water for daily use, Philip heard that in that fountain the devil enjoyed himself and broke the containers of the citizens every time they went to get water, so he decided to go there and face the devil, when he arrived he made a bet with the devil; the latter had to bind St. Philip with chains, while he had to bind the devil with a single hair. The devil, listening to the saint's proposal, laughed because, according to him, he could get rid of the hair. As a bet, St. Philip was tied with chains and the devil with his hair, the saint broke the chains, while the devil was unable to break the hair and free himself. The devil, realizing that he was defeated, asked the saint when he was released, but St. Philip coldly replied that he would free him along with other demons when Easter in May came, so never.

 The saint died on May 12, and was buried in the sepulcher that he prepared himself (today stands the Royal Abbey Church of San Filippo d'Agira).

 The picture depicts St. Philip of Agira with his blessing hand observing the origin of the light, which illuminates all the elements of the picture, and holds the gospel with his left hand. He rests on a cloud of which under it there is a fire, which symbolizes hell.