Saint Paul the First Hermit

Paul was born in Egypt around 228 into a wealthy Christian family. During the persecution of the emperor Decius around 250, when he learned that his brother-in-law intended to betray him, he fled into the desert of the Thebaid. There he found a cave near a spring and a palm tree, and he stayed for the rest of his life, living in prayer and penance.

Saint Jerome, who wrote his Life, tells that when Paul was very old, Saint Anthony of the Desert was led to his cave. The two saints greeted each other by name, and a raven, which for years had brought Paul half a loaf each day, came with a whole loaf for both. Soon after, Paul died, around 341, aged about 113. Anthony wrapped him in a cloak given to him by Saint Athanasius, and two lions helped dig his grave.

He is shown as an old man dressed in palm leaves, with a raven carrying bread and two lions. The Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit, the Pauline Fathers, takes its name from him; they guard the shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa in Poland. The Roman Martyrology commemorates him on January 15.