Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre
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Saint Julien le Pauvre is one of the oldest churches in Paris. Sitting near the Seine in the Ve arrondissement, this early 13th century church is less than 500 meters away from the famous Musée de Cluny.
At least three saints can be claimed as patron of this church, but it is most likely that Saint Julian the Hospitaller was the one originally intended. Saint Julien le Pauvre, together with Saint Germain des Prés, is one of the oldest in Paris, dating from between 1165 and 1220. The University of Paris held its official meetings in the church until 1524, when a student protest created so much damage that the meetings were barred from the church by Parliament.
For a time, the City of Paris considered turning the church into a museum, but in 1889, St. Julien was instead reconsecrated and assigned to the Melkites, a congregation of Eastern Catholics who observe the Byzantine Rite and have their own Patriarch, but are still in communion with the Pope in Rome. It remains a Melkite church to the present day. It is also the setting for chamber and religious music concerts.
