St. Paul the Apostle is a seminal figure of Christianity. A Tarsus native, he was transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a passionate promoter of growth in the early Church. He was the tireless apostle among the Gentiles, a converted Jew who spread Christ’s word throughout Arabia, Syria, and the Eastern World.
Paul and Barnabus proselytized in Antioch and Jerusalem, then Cyprus, Pisidia, Pamphylia, Lycaonia and Asia Minor. They set up new churches in Antioch, Derbe, Lystra, and Lycaonia. Paul made a second missionary mission with Silas, then Timothy and Luke through Asia Minor. A third missionary mission revisited old stops and ended in Ephesus for three years.
Plans for another mission were scrapped due to persecution and two years at a Caesarea prison. Released, he went to Spain and Asia Minor before being imprisoned in Rome and beheaded in 67. His feast day is June 29, a day he shares with fellow apostle Peter.
