Saint Paul the Simple
Egyptian farmer who became Saint Anthony's disciple at about sixty
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Religious, Mystic
- Countries
- Egypt
Life story
We know Paul chiefly from two early works: the Lausiac History of Palladius and the Historia monachorum in Aegypto. According to them he was a farmer, very simple and guileless, who at about sixty discovered that his wife was unfaithful. He left home and went to Saint Anthony to ask to become a monk.
Anthony at first refused, saying it was impossible at sixty, and told him to go to a community of monks since he himself lived alone. Paul waited outside the cell, and on the fourth day Anthony, afraid he might die, took him in. Anthony tested his endurance and obedience with repetitive work, such as weaving a palm-leaf rope and having it undone, and with long prayers and little food. Paul accepted everything. After some months Anthony gave him a cell of his own a few miles away.
About a year later, Palladius says, Paul received the gifts of healing and of casting out demons. In one story Anthony could not drive a fiend out of a possessed young man, so he sent him to Paul, who succeeded.
The two early sources agree on the main facts but differ in tone. No dates of birth or death are given for Paul, who lived in the 4th century and should not be confused with Paul of Thebes, regarded as the first hermit.
Works and witness
- Left farm and family to become a monk at about sixty
- Submitted to Anthony's tests of obedience and patience
- Was given a cell of his own after some months
- Credited with the gift of casting out demons, according to Palladius
- Said to have driven out a demon that Anthony himself could not
Saints from the same country
References
- Catholic Encyclopedia: 'St. Paul the Simple' (newadvent.org/cathen/11591a.htm)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.