St. Mina and St. Abanoub Coptic Orthodox Church

The Fifth Day of the Blessed Month of Babah
Babah 5

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The Martyrdom of St. Paul, Patriarch of Constantinople

        On this day was the martyrdom of St. Paul, Patriarch of Constantinople. He was a disciple of Abba Alexandros, Patriarch of Constantinople. He was appointed to the patriarchy after the departure of Abba Alexandros and when he sat on the patriarchal throne, he expelled all the followers of the Arian sect from Constantinople and its surroundings. When the Emperor Constantine the Great died, his three sons reigned after him. Constantine reigned over Constantinople and Constance reigned over Rome and Constantius reigned over France.
       Constantine held the same belief as Arius. He was exceedingly sorry for what Abba Paul had done to the Arians, and asked him to stop excommunicating them, but the Patriarch did not obey him. He became angry and exiled him from Constantinople as he had exiled also Abba Athanasius the apostolic from Alexandria. The two foregathered in Rome, and went to stand before Emperor Constance to inform him of their concern. He wrote a letter for them to his brother ordering him to accept them and threatened him if he did not receive them-there would be no peace but war between them. When the two saints came to Constantinople, they gave the letter to Emperor Constantine, who accepted his brother's letter and returned them to the chairs.
       But after the slaying of his brother, Emperor Constance, in Rome, he exiled St. Paul again to the country of Armenia. A few days later, he sent for one of the followers of Arius commanding him to catch up with St. Paul there and slay him. He came to him at night and strangled him. He deserved the crown of martyrdom. He had stayed four years in office.

May his prayers and blessings be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.