- Martyrdom of St. Paul, Patriarch of Constantinople
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Martyrdom of St. Paul, Patriarch
of Constantinople
On this day we commemorate the martyrdom of St. Paul, Patriarch
of Constantinople. He was a disciple of Abba Alexandros, Patriarch
of Constantinople and was appointed to the Patriarchy after the
departure of Abba Alexandros. Soon after that he expelled all
the followers of the Arian sect from Constantinople and its surroundings.
When Emperor Constantine the Great died, his three sons reigned after him. Constandius reigned over Constantinople, Constance over Rome and Constantinus reigned over France.
Constandius held the same belief as Arius and was exceedingly upset by what Abba Paul had done to the Arians. He asked him to stop excommunicating them, but the Patriarch did not listen to him. He exiled him from Constantinople as he had exiled Abba Athanasius the Apostolic from Alexandria.
The two exiled Patriarchs gathered in Rome and stood before Emperor Constance to inform him of their concern. He wrote a letter on their behalf to his brother Constandius threatening him if he did not receive them back, there would be no peace but war between them. When the two saints came to Constantinople, they gave the letter to Emperor Constandius, who accepted his brother's request and returned them to their Chairs.
After the slaying of Emperor Constance in Rome, Constandius exiled St. Paul again to the country of Armenia. A few days later, he sent for one of the followers of Arius commanding him to slay him. He went to him at night and strangled him. The Saint received the crown of martyrdom after serving as Patriarch for four years.
May his prayers be with us. Glory be to God forever. Amen.