Feast Day 29 June: Andratx, Buger, Colónia de Sant Pere, Escorca, Esporles, Puerto de Pollença
see also St Peter
Martyred 64 or 67 AD
St Paul is generally considered the father of Christianity although
he never met Jesus.
He is attributed with fourteen epistles in the New Testament although
scholarly disputes are commonplace. He is believed to have frequently
employed an amanuensis but to establish authenticity the writers often
included a passage in his handwriting. These are the earliest
written books in the New Testament.
Paul’s influence on Christian thought has continued over the centuries and
he may be said to be the most influential of any of the New Testament compilers.
What is known of his life is found in the Bible. According to Acts, he was
born in what is now Turkey although he himself never alluded to his birthplace.
He was certainly a Roman citizen; a fact he was to use in his defence on more than one occasion.
His relationship with the Apostles was an uneasy one; perhaps they were always
wary of one who prior to his conversion had persecuted the Christians.
Eusebius of Caesarea, writing in the fourth century says that Paul was beheaded
in the reign of Nero. This has been dated to either 64 or 67. St Peter and
St Paul celebrate their feast day on the same day perhaps reflecting a tradition
that not only did they die on the same day but also in the same year.
