Apostle to the Gentiles, author of 13 New Testament letters — the most consequential missionary in Christian history.
Saul of Tarsus was born in the Roman province of Cilicia (modern Turkey) around 5 AD to a devout Jewish family with Roman citizenship — a rare and valuable combination. He was educated in Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel, the most respected Pharisee teacher of the era. As a young Pharisee, he was zealous to defend Jewish tradition against what he saw as the dangerous Christian sect, holding the coats of those who stoned Saint Stephen (Acts 7:58) and traveling with letters from the high priest to arrest Christians as far as Damascus. On the road to Damascus around 35 AD, he was struck blind by a vision of the risen Christ asking 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' (Acts 9). After three days of blindness and prayer, he was healed by Ananias, a Christian Saul had come to arrest, and was baptized. From his conversion onward, Saul — taking the name Paul — became the most prolific and consequential Christian missionary in history. He made three major missionary journeys recorded in Acts (and a fourth journey to Rome under arrest, ending in his martyrdom), planting churches across the Roman world: Antioch, Cyprus, Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, Rome itself, and possibly Spain. He wrote 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament — including Romans (the most systematic Christian theology of the first century), 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. His theology of justification by faith alone, the gospel for Jews and Gentiles equally, the church as the body of Christ, and Christ's victory over sin and death has shaped Christian thought for 2,000 years. Paul was beheaded outside Rome around 64-67 AD under Emperor Nero, the death of a Roman citizen. His tomb is preserved in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, one of the four major papal basilicas.
Acts records many of Paul's miracles during his missions: the healing of a lame man at Lystra (Acts 14:8-10); the casting out of a spirit of divination at Philippi (Acts 16:16-18); the resurrection of Eutychus, who fell from a third-story window during Paul's long sermon (Acts 20:9-12); his survival of a viper bite on Malta (Acts 28:3-6); and the healings on Malta after his shipwreck (Acts 28:8-9). His ministry also produced extraordinary miracles attributed indirectly: handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched him would, when taken to the sick, heal them (Acts 19:11-12). Theological 'miracles' include his own conversion (the most consequential conversion in church history) and his survival of countless attempts on his life across decades of missionary work in hostile territory.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”Philippians 4:13 — perhaps the most-tattooed verse from Paul.
“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”Philippians 1:21.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”2 Timothy 4:7 — written shortly before his execution.
“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”Philippians 4:11 (KJV).
O glorious Saint Paul, who, from a persecutor of Christianity, didst become a most ardent Apostle of zeal, and who, to make known the Saviour Jesus Christ to the uttermost parts of the earth, didst suffer with joy imprisonment, scourging, stoning, shipwreck, and persecutions of every kind, and didst at last shed thy blood to the last drop, obtain for us the grace to accept, as favors granted by the mercy of God, the infirmities, sufferings, and misfortunes of this life, that the vicissitudes of this our exile may not make us grow cold in the service of God, but rather may render us ever more faithful and more fervent. Amen.
Saint Paul (c.5-c.67 AD) was a Jewish Pharisee who persecuted early Christians until his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus around 35 AD. From his conversion onward, he became the most prolific Christian missionary in history — making three major missionary journeys, planting churches across the Roman world, and writing 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament. He was beheaded in Rome around 64-67 AD.
Paul wrote 13 of the 27 books of the New Testament: Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Some scholars also attribute Hebrews to Paul, though most modern scholarship treats Hebrews as anonymous. Paul's letters were occasional (written to address specific situations in particular churches) but contain the most systematic theology in the New Testament — particularly Romans.
Around 35 AD, Saul of Tarsus (later Paul) was traveling to Damascus with letters from the high priest authorizing him to arrest Christians. On the road, he was struck blind by a vision of the risen Christ asking 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' (Acts 9). After three days of blindness and prayer, he was healed by Ananias — a Damascus Christian Saul had come to arrest — and was baptized. The 'Damascus Road conversion' has become a model for dramatic Christian conversions ever since.
Saint Paul's principal feast day is June 29, shared with Saint Peter — the two great apostles of the early church. A separate feast on January 25 commemorates the Conversion of Paul on the road to Damascus. The June 29 date is observed across Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant traditions, often with special services emphasizing the apostolic foundation of the church.