Venerable Paul (IV)

The Venerable Paul lived and laboured in the fourth century. He was already old when he became a disciple of Anthony the Great (commemorated 17 January). For his unwearying labours the father was granted the gifts of insight and of healing illnesses of the soul, and his holy teacher compared him now to the Prophet Elijah, now to John the Baptist, and now to the Apostle Paul; but he was also marked by a wonderful lowliness, and so he was called “the Simple”. Anthony the Great said of him: “Those who have advanced in faith can cast out only lesser devils, but the humble, such as Paul the Simple, have authority over the very prince of the demons.”

The blessed Paul is commemorated twice a year: on 7 March and on 4 October (see the reading for 7 March).