Saint · 250
Paul of Thebes
Venerable Paul of Thebes († 341)
New Calendar January 15 Old Calendar January 28
Why they are a saint
He was born in Egypt in the reign of the Emperor Decius. Though his parents left him a large inheritance, he abandoned it and fled into the desert around the year 250 to escape the bloody persecution of Christians raging at that time. After walking for several days, he found an isolated cave with a large palm tree and a spring of fresh water nearby.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Paul of Thebes as a patron when they bear the name Paul at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on January 15. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Paul of Thebes, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.