Apostle
Apostle Paul
ок. 5 — 29 июня/12 июля 67
Apostle Paul, chief among the apostles — a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, a Pharisee, before his conversion a persecutor of Christians (Saul); miraculously called by Christ, who appeared to him on the road to Damascus; he undertook four missionary journeys, founded numerous Christian communities, and authored 14 Epistles; beheaded in Rome under Nero.
Apostle Paul (before baptism — Saul) was born in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia into a Pharisaic family that held Roman citizenship. He received an excellent education under the renowned teacher Gamaliel in Jerusalem. As a zealous Pharisee, he was a fierce persecutor of Christians and was present at the stoning of the Protomartyr Stephen. On the road to Damascus, where he was heading to persecute Christians, the risen Christ appeared to him, blinding him with heavenly light; after this miraculous appearance, Saul was baptized by Ananias and became the most zealous preacher of the Gospel, changing his name to Paul. He undertook four great missionary journeys through Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome, founding numerous Christian communities. He is the author of fourteen Epistles included in the New Testament canon. He was imprisoned twice in Rome; the second time, under Emperor Nero, he was sentenced to death and beheaded as a Roman citizen (unlike Apostle Peter, who was crucified). The Church calls him the "Apostle to the Gentiles" and, together with Apostle Peter, "chief among the apostles." His memory is kept on June 29/July 12 together with Apostle Peter.
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