Saint Paul the Apostle

 

He was born in Tarsus,Cilicia (modern Turkey) , died martyred c.65 in Rome; beheaded .

Saul was a Jew, a Pharisee who hated and persecuted Christians. He approved the death of St Stephen. On his way to Damascus to arrest one group of Christians, he was knocked to the ground and was blinded by a heavenly light, Jesus spoke to him and asked him : "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? He said who are you Lord, the voice answered "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting", Saul said "What do you want me to do Lord", the Lord said "go the city, you will be told what to do".

 

The experience had a profound spiritual effect on him, causing his conversion. He was baptized, changed his name to Paul , and began travelling, preaching, and suffering for the sake of the name of Jesus.

(2 Corinthians 11:23-28) As an apostle he was imprisoned, flogged, and many times was near death. Five times he received the forty lashes minus one. Three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned, three times he was shipwrecked and for a night and a day he was adrift at sea. He was frequently on dangerous journeys, in danger from rivers, bandits, from his own people and also the gentiles.

He was in danger in the city, in the wilderness, at sea, and from the falsehood of certain brothers and sisters. He was always working hard, through many sleepless nights, he was hungry and thirsty, many times without food, he suffered cold and was naked. Besides all these things he was also under pressure because of the anxiety he fell for all the Churches.

He was finally imprisoned in Rome and was beheaded. 

The Work of God Apostolate
www.theworkofgod.org

Saint Paul the Apostle