Hi,
Saint of the Day January 15, 2003
St. Paul the Hermit
It is unclear what we really know of Paul's life, how
much is fable, how much fact.
Paul was reportedly born in Egypt, where he was
orphaned by age 15. He was also a learned and devout
young man. During the persecution of Decius in Egypt
in the year 250, Paul was forced to hide in the home
of a friend. Fearing a brother-in-law would betray
him, he fled in a cave in the desert. His plan was to
return once the persecution ended, but the sweetness
of solitude and heavenly contemplation convinced him
to stay.
He went on to live in that cave for the next 90 years.
A nearby spring gave him drink, a palm tree furnished
him clothing and nourishment. After 21 years of
solitude a bird began bringing him half of a loaf of
bread each day. Without knowing what was happening in
the world, Paul prayed that the world would become a
better place.
St. Anthony attests to his holy life and death.
Tempted by the thought that no one had served God in
the wilderness longer than he, Anthony was led by God
to find Paul and acknowledge him as a man more perfect
than himself. The raven that day brought a whole loaf
of bread instead of the usual half. As Paul predicted,
Anthony would return to bury his new friend.
Thought to have been about 112 when he died, Paul is
known as the "First Hermit."
His feast day is celebrated in the East; he is also
commemorated in the Coptic and Armenian rites of the
Mass.
love + prayers,
Joseachayan / Jedah / Saudi Arabia
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