06 ЛИСТОПАДА / NOVEMBER 6

Saint Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople, was elected to the patriarchal throne after the death of Patriarch Alexander in 340. His election took place during a renewed conflict with Arianism, a heresy that denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ. Although the Orthodox bishops supported Paul, the Arian party opposed him, and Emperor Constantius, who favored Arianism, refused to accept his election.

The emperor convened a council that deposed Saint Paul and sent him into exile. The saint went to Rome, where other Orthodox bishops had also sought refuge. After the death of the Arian bishop Eusebius of Nicomedia, Paul returned to Constantinople and was welcomed by his flock. However, he was soon exiled again. With the support of Emperor Constans of the Western Roman Empire, he was eventually restored to his position.

Following the assassination of Constans, Saint Paul was once more removed from his see and sent to Cucusus in Armenia. There, in 350, while celebrating the Divine Liturgy, he was attacked by Arians and strangled with his own omophorion. Thus, he received the crown of martyrdom for his unwavering defense of the Orthodox faith.

In 381, Emperor Theodosius the Great solemnly transferred Saint Paul’s relics to Constantinople. In 1326, they were brought to Venice, where they are venerated to this day. A portion of the saint’s skull is preserved at the Monastery of Simonopetra on Mount Athos.

Saint Paul is remembered as a courageous defender of the true faith who endured repeated exiles and persecution rather than compromise his confession of Christ.