Paul the Simple

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Paul the Simple

Miniature from the Menologion of Basil II
Born Unknown
Egypt
Died ca 339
Egypt
Honored in Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, Oriental Orthodox
Feast March 7

St. Paul the Simple of Egypt (d. ca. 339) was a hermit and disciple of St. Anthony.[1] St John, the Abbot of Sinai wrote "Paul the Simple was a clear example for us, for he was the rule and type of blessed simplicity."[2]

He was also a with contemporary St. Paul of Egypt, the First Hermit. The account of his life is found in Palladius of Helenopolis De Vitis Patrum 8,28 and Tyrannius Rufinus Historia Eremitica 31.

Paul was a farmer who, at the age of sixty, discovered that his beautiful wife was having an affair and so left her to become a hermit.[3] Approaching St. Anthony, Paul indicated his desire to become a monk. Anthony responded by saying it would be quite impossible for a man of sixty years to adopted such a radical life style. He instead encouraged Paul to be content with the life of being a thankful and pious labourer. Paul was unsatisfied with this answer and responded by pleading his will to learn. Anthony said that if he wish to be a monk he should go to a cenobium. Anthony then fasted for five days. Upon the fourth day of fasting, Paul still had not left Anthony’s door. Fearing that Paul would die of thirst and hunger, Anthony took him in.[4]

That night at dinner, St. Anthony took a crust of bread and gave three to Paul. When each had eaten one crust, Anthony told Paul to eat another. "If you have another one, I will," said Paul, "but not if you won't." "I've had quite sufficient for one who is a monk," said Anthony. Paul replied, "Then one is enough for me, for I want to be a monk."

St. Anthony continued to test Paul's endurance and humility through hard work, severe fasting, with nightly vigils, constant singing of Psalms and prostrations. Anthony, who was impressed by Paul's dedication, permitted Paul a separate cell.

Eventually, it was said that, Paul the Simple was able to cast out demons. Anthony, it is recorded, had passed a possessed youth saying, "I cannot help the boy, for I have not received power over the Prince of the demons. Paul the Simple, however, does have this gift."[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5281
  2. ↑ http://oca.org/saints/lives/2013/10/04/102866-venerable-paul-the-simple-of-egypt
  3. ↑ http://clover.slavic.pitt.edu:8080/exist/paul/data/paul_main.html
  4. ↑ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11591a.htm
  5. ↑ http://oca.org/saints/lives/2013/10/04/102866-venerable-paul-the-simple-of-egypt

 "St. Paul the Simple". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913. 

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