Paul I

Commemorated on: November 6

St. Paul the Confessor was originally from Thessalonika. He then moved to Constantinople, where he became the secretary of the patriarch Alexander and a Deacon of the Holy Great Church of Christ. After the dormition of Alexander, the Orthodox elected him to the patriarchal throne of Constantinople. The king, however, being an Arian, dismissed him from his see and placed Eusebius of Nikomedia as the Patriarch.

Thus, Paul fleed to Rome where he met St. Athanasius, who also had been expelled from his see. Later, by letter of the king Constas, both return to their corresponding sees; but Constantius again expells them following the advice of the Arians. Then Constas writes again to his brother Constantius, that should they not receive their patriarchal sees, he would attack him with military. Thus the truly divine Paul was received on his thone, but only for a short period, because after the death of Constas, he is expelled to Koukousos in Armenia. There, while he was within some house celebrating the Liturgy, he was stuggled by the Arians with his own omophorion, and hence gave his soul to the Lord.

His memory is celebrated on the 6th of November.

Apolytikion
Your confession of the divine faith proved you a second Paul, a zealot for the Church. With you Abel and the just blood of Zachary cry out to the Lord. Venerable Father, implore Christ God to bestow on us his great mercy.

Kontakion
Blazing upon earth like a star shining in the heavens, you now enlighten the catholic Church, for which you struggled and laid down your life, blest Paul, and like Abel and Zachary your blood cries out clearly to the Lord.

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