Saint Paul, Bishop of Neocaesarea

Commemorated on December 23.

Saint Paul, Bishop of Neocaesarea, suffered under the emperor Licinius (311-324). At his trial he firmly confessed his faith, and was subjected to beatings. They tortured him also with hunger, but he remained steadfast. Then they scorched his hands with red-hot iron and locked him in a prison at the banks of the Euphrates.

After Licinius was executed in the year 324, when Saint Constantine became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire, and Christians in prison received their freedom, Saint Paul returned to his flock. He was a participant at the First Ecmenical Council at Nicea, convened in the year 325, at which the Arian heresy was condemned and the Symbol of Faith adopted. At the end of the Council, the Emperor Constantine solemnly received the Council participants and kissed Saint Paul’s burned hand. After long years of guiding his flock, Saint Paul peacefully fell asleep in the Lord.