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ST. PAUL (29.6.) Paul was born as Saul in Tarsus around the year 10 a.d. but was then named Paul and, although his family was Jewish, he had inherited roman citizenship from his father. He was a determined opponent of all the Messiah’s teaching and a persecutor of his followers as he, Paul, was a strong supporter of the Jewish faith due to his education and upbringing. While on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christian community there, he had a vision of Christ just before reaching the city gates. This vision caused him to become a convinced disciple. Thereafter he dedicated himself to a vast work of evangelisation, first in Arabia then in Greece and Macedonia. He was present at the Council of Apostles in Jerusalem from 48 to 50 where he obtained that the Christians must not be subjected to Mosaic laws. Paul was imprisoned in Cesarea and in Rome but even during these periods he kept contact with the religious communities founded by him as his Letters confirm. Tradition has it his martyrdom was in Rome where he was decapitated during Nero’s reign (64-67). He is the patron saint of the catholic press, weavers, rope and saddle makers, working women and theologians