St Paul, Apostle Art Photos

St Paul (born 5-15; martyred c65) (aka Saul of Tarsus)
Born to Jewish parents in Tarsus (now Turkey), part of the Roman Empire, & thereby he was a citizen of Rome

Early in his life he was a persecutor of Christians.

Experienced a vision, in which he was addressed by Christ, on the road to Damascus (34-36) causing him to convert to Christianity & to proclaim that Jesus of Nazareth was the Jewish Messiah.

Began his missionary work but encountered resistance from his Jewish audiences.

After many disappointing missionary assignments, he convinced his fellow Apostles, especially Peter, that Gentile Christians should not have Jewish law & customs forced upon them - a radical change which ensured much wider acceptance of Christianity.

Paul undertook his second & third missionary journeys which included what is now Greece, Macedonia & Turkey (Asia Minor).

He made many converts & established churches, but his successes also led to strong resistance, sometimes violent, & arrests (sometimes protective custody by the Romans).

According to tradition, after his last arrest he was returned to Rome, & martyred by beheading on the same day as St Peter.

Paul's impact on the development of early Christianity was immense & long lasting.

Paul was one of the best early Christian writers. He is very well known for his letters (epistles) to distant Christian communities which he founded. His letters are read during services in many Christian faiths to this day.

Attrib. bald head; sword; often paired with St Peter in art.