Paul, St (c. AD 3-c. AD 68)

Christian missionary and martyr; in the New Testament, one of the apostles and author of 13 Epistles. Originally known as Saul, he was opposed to Christianity, and took part in the stoning of St Stephen. Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 9) tells how he was converted by a vision on the road to Damascus while on the way to persecute Christians. After his conversion he journeyed on great missions, for example to Philippi and Ephesus, becoming known as the Apostle of the Gentiles (non-Jews). His emblems are a sword and a book; his feast day is 29 June.

He was born in Tarsus (now in Turkey), son of well-to-do Pharisees, and had Roman citizenship. On his return to Jerusalem after his missionary journeys, he was arrested, appealed to Caesar, and (as a citizen) was sent to Rome for trial about 57 or 59. After two years in prison, he may have been released before his final arrest and execution under the emperor Nero.

St Paul's theology was rigorous on such questions as sin and atonement, and his views on the role of women were adopted by the Christian church generally.