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
came 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.
Paul and Peter were arrested after
the great fire of Rome and were blamed for. Peter was crucified up side down
on the capitol hill where there is great church of Vatican now. As to Paul,
since he was a Roman citizen he was beheaded near Ostia gate in Rome.
