Saint Paul the Hermit (Saint Paul of Thebes)

St. Paul the Hermit, also known by the name St. Paul of Thebes, was born in Egypt to wealthy parents. He was well-educated and became well-versed in Greek and Latin. Always devout, he was gentle in spirit and spent much time in prayer and meditation. He was orphaned at 15. Around 250 AD, emperors Decius and Valerius initiated a wave of Christian persecution, and Paul took refuge in a hiding place. His brother-in-law, who was after Paul's wealth, had plans to betray him; realizing this, Paul fled to the Egyptian desert, where he found shelter, a place where he could silently pray and meditate. We receive an account of Paul's life only from St. Jerome's Vita Pauli, preserved in Latin and Greek. This book records that this saint lived to the age of 113 and was visited by St. Anthony of Egypt, who had the honor of burying him. He died around 341 AD and is traditionally regarded as the first Christian hermit. 

St. Paul, grant us the graces of total separation from the world, love of poverty, and the grace of fervent prayer.

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love 
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)