Biblical Persons Asia Minor ST. PAUL
Saint Paul
Paul was born in Tarsus, southern part of Turkey in ancient Cilicia. His
date of birth is placed by the scholars between 1 AD and 6th AD. He was
named after Saul, the first king of Israel. He cam
e from a rich and
powerful Jewish family. His father or his relatives obtained the Roman
citizenship and full civil rights of the city of Tarsus
Educated by his mother and his father during his early years, Paul was
sent to Jerusalem for further studies and studied at the academy of
Gameliel, one of the most respected Jewish teachers.
During
the early years, he took action against Christians and took part in
their persecutions. His name spread all over the Roman world and created
fear. His life totally changed after his vision when Christ appeared to
him on the way to Damascus. Christ appeared to him and said:
"Paul, why you persecute me"
Paul who got blind after his vision, he was healed with the help of one
of the disciples. When he
returned to Jerusalem great difficulties were waiting for him. Neither
Christian nor Jewish believed or trusted him. He returned to his home
town, Tarsus. His writings no where indicate that he knew Jesus or his
disciples. He left Jerusalem and returned Tarsus during the Christ's
ministry and he didn't return to Jerusalem till Jesus' death.
After Saint Barnabas found him in Tarsus and persuaded him to come to
Antioch with him,
Saint
Paul made three great successive journeys which covered big part of
Anatolia and Greece. Finally, after his third missionary trip, he was
arrested in Jerusalem. Since he wanted to appeal to Ceaser, he was taken
to Rome. After two years imprisonment in Rome, he was found innocent and
was freed.
Important Biblical Personalities
Saint Paul
Saint Peter
Saint Barnabas
Saint John
Saint Titus
Saint Timothy
Saint Barbara
Saint Nicholas
Saint Polycarp
Saint Helen
Saint Silas
Saint Margaret
Saint Blaise
Saint Philip
Saint Thecla
Saint Jacob
Saint Basil
Saint Ephraem
Virgin Mary
Saint Gregory Nazianzen
Saint Gregory of Nyssa
Saint Gregory the Illuminator
Constantine The Great