Our Holy Father Paul the Physician
Commemorated June 28
Saint Paul the Physician, from the city of Corinth, in his youth took monastic tonsure at one of the monasteries. Here the saint toiled much and became an experienced ascetic.
Once Paul, through demonic malice, was slandered by a woman. She came to the monastery with a newborn infant and said, that St. Paul was the father. The Elder with humility and joy endured the slander, he did not deny it and he took the infant, as though it were his own son. When they began to reproach the saint for breaking his monastic vows, St. Paul said, "Brethren, let us ask the infant who his father is!" The newborn, pointing his hand at the blacksmith, said, "Here is my father and not the monk Paul." Seeing this miracle, people bowed down to the Elder, asking forgiveness. From this time St. Paul received from God the gift of healing the sick, whereby he received the name physician. St. Paul died at age 70.
Troparion
In thee, O father, was manifestly preserved what is in the image of God, for having taken up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thine own example hast taught that the flesh is to be despised as transient, but that particular care should be bestowed on the soul, as a thing immortal; wherefore, together with the angels, rejoiceth also thine, O holy Paul, spirit.
Kontakion
Having divinely armed thyself with the purity of thy soul and unceasing prayers firmly grasping as a spear, thou, our father Paul, hast pierced the armies of the demon; supplicate unceasingly for us all.
Source: Crkveni Kalendar
