Saint Paul the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople

Life

When Blessed Patriarch Alexander lay on his deathbed, the grieving faithful asked him whom he was leaving as chief pastor for the rational flock of Christ. The ailing patriarch then said to them: "If you desire to have a pastor who will teach you and shine forth in virtues, choose Paul; but if you desire to have only a handsome man, outwardly adorned, choose Macedonius." The people chose Paul. But this did not please the Arian heretics, nor did it please Emperor Constantius, who was at that time in Antioch. And soon Paul was deposed, and together with Saint Athanasius the Great he fled to Rome, where both of them were well received by Pope Julius and Emperor Constans, who upheld them in their Orthodox Faith. By letter from Emperor Constans and the Pope, Paul was returned to his throne, but when Emperor Constans died, the Arians raised their heads and drove the Orthodox patriarch into exile in Cucusus in Armenia. While serving the Divine Liturgy once during his exile, Saint Paul was attacked by the Arians and strangled with his omophorion in the year 351. In the time of Emperor Theodosius in the year 381, his relics were transferred to Constantinople, and in 1236 to Venice, where they remain to this day. His beloved clerics and secretaries Marcian and Martyrius suffered shortly after their patriarch (see October 25).

From the Hymn of Praise

Our Lord is mercy and goodness itselfYet because of human sins He permits sufferings:Floods, illnesses, earthquakes and droughts,Terrors and torments upon bodies and souls.