An illumination depicting the Conversion of Saint Paul from Livre d'Heures d'Étienne Chevalier (c. 1450–1460) by Jean Fouquet. Etienne de Chevalier, treasurer to King Charles VII of France, commissioned Fouquet to create a Book of Hours. This and several illuminated pages are currently in the collections of the Musée Condé, in Chantilly, France.

The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul is a feast celebrated during the liturgical year on January 25, recounting the Conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who after a record of brutalizing and persecuting Christians, converted to Christianity and became the apostle Paul. The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate Paul the apostle (שאול התרסי Šaʾul HaTarsi, meaning " Saul of Tarsus " Σαούλ Saul and Σαῦλος Saulos and Persecution is the systematic mistreatment of an individual/group by another group Religious conversion is the adoption of a new religious identity or a change from one religious identity to another The Twelve Apostles (Greek apostolos, "someone sent out" e Paul the apostle (שאול התרסי Šaʾul HaTarsi, meaning " Saul of Tarsus " Σαούλ Saul and Σαῦλος Saulos and While on the road to Damascus (c. Damascus ( دمشق,, also commonly known as الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. A.D. 36) to annihilate the Christian community there, Saul said he was blinded by a brilliant light and heard the voice of Christ saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?. Year 36 was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Julian calendar. Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " . . And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid, but they heard not the voice. . . . "^[1] Elsewhere (see Resurrection appearances of Jesus) Paul claims to have seen Christ, and it is on this basis that he grounds his claim to be recognised as an Apostle: "Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?"^[2]. The major Resurrection appearances of Jesus are reported in the New Testament to have occurred after his death and burial and prior to his Ascension Saul of Tarsus would journey into Damascus, where he was cured and attended by Ananias, being baptized into Christianity. Ananias was a disciple of Jesus, and is traditionally listed as one of the Seventy Disciples whose mission is recorded in Luke 10 Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings He later took the name Paul and became one of the chief founding voices of Early Christianity. Early Christianity is commonly defined as the Christianity of the three centuries between the Crucifixion of Jesus ( c Paul's epistles, for instance, form the bulk of the New Testament of the Bible, after the combined total of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles (both traditionally attributed to the Apostle Luke), whose two books amount to nearly a third of the New Testament. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin The Gospel of Luke (Gk Κατά Λουκάν Ευαγγέλιον) is a synoptic Gospel, and is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels of the The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. Luke the Evangelist ( Hebrew: לוּקָֻא Greek: Loukás) was an early Christian leader who is said by tradition to be the author of The Christian theological implication of the Conversion of Paul is that it witnesses the absolution of sin that is offered by faith and grace through belief in Jesus Christ. Christian Theology is discourse concerning Christian faith Christian theologians use biblical Exegesis, rational analysis and argument Absolution is a traditional theological term for the forgiveness experienced in the traditional Churches in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral Rule, or the state of having committed such a violation Faith is a Belief in the trustworthiness of an Idea. Formal usage of the word "faith" is usually reserved for concepts of Religion, as in In Christianity, divine Grace refers to the sovereign favour of God for humankind — especially in regard to Salvation — irrespective of actions Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) ^[3] The magnitude of Paul's transgressions, such as his attempts to completely eradicate Christianity, indicate that any sinner may be forgiven, no matter how terrible his sins, except for the Unforgivable sin. The Eternal Sin, or unpardonable sin, is a concept of Sin in Christian theology, whereby Salvation becomes impossible

This feast is celebrated in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican and Lutheran churches. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Oriental Orthodoxy is the communion of Eastern Christian Churches that recognize only three Ecumenical councils — the First Council of Nicaea, the Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the teachings of the sixteenth-century German reformer Martin Luther This feast is at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an international Christian ecumenical observance that began in 1908, which is an octave (an eight-day observance) spanning from 18 January (observed as the Confession of Peter) to 25 January. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an international Christian ecumenical observance kept annually between 18 January and 25 January. Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor The Confession of Peter is a statement made by Saint Peter the Apostle in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate This event has been depicted frequently in works of art and music, most notably paintings by Caravaggio (1571–1610) and musical works such as the choral motet Saule, Saule, quid me persequeris by Giaches de Wert (1535–1596). Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, usually just known as Caravaggio, (28 September 1571 – 18 July 1610 was an Italian Artist active in Rome For the musical composition see Chorale. A choir, chorale, or chorus is a Musical ensemble of Singers In Western music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions Giaches de Wert (1535 &ndash May 6, 1596) was a Franco-Flemish composer active in Italy.

On the Road to Damascus

Saul's Persecution of Christians

The Conversion of Saint Paul, a 1600 painting by Italian artist Caravaggio (1571–1610).

Saul, better known as Paul of Tarsus, is self-described as "a Hebrew of Hebrews,"^[4] and as "extremely zealous for the traditions of [his] countrymen, and of [his] ancestors. Hebrews (or Hebertes, Eberites, Hebreians, " Habiru " or " Habiri " Hebrew: עברים The word tradition comes from the Latin traditionem acc of traditio which means "a giving up delivering up surrendering" and is used in a number of "^[5] He had set out from Jerusalem for Syrian Damascus around the year 36, with letters from the high priest authorizing him to arrest followers of Jesus of Nazareth whom he could find living in the city of Damascus. Damascus ( دمشق,, also commonly known as الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) He was to bring them back to Jerusalem in chains for questioning and possible execution. ^[6] Saul had to the best of his ability repressed the disciples in the city of Jerusalem; where, according to his own words, he had "laid waste to the Church, arresting the followers of Jesus, having them thrown into prison, and trying to get them to blaspheme" the name of YHWH. See also Yahweh Tetragrammaton (from the Greek, meaning ' of four letters' (tetra "four" + gramma (gen ^[7] Saul had also distinguished himself during the trial of Saint Stephen, the first of the official Christian martyrs, when Saul had "watched over the robes of those who were stoning Stephen. A Christian martyr is one who is killed for believing in Christianity "^[8]

Paul's conversion

Paul's own account of his conversion is fairly sparse. He wrote: "I did not receive it [the Gospel] from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. This article is about the canonical books of the New Testament . . . But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. "^[9]

The author of Acts of the Apostles recounts more details of Paul's conversion from persecutor of Christians, at that time called the sect of the Nazarenes. The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. The persecution of Christians refers to the Religious persecution of Christians both historically and in the current era Not to be confused with Nasoraeans The Nazarene sect ( Ναζωραίων from Hebrew נזרים) were an early ^{[10][11][12][13][14][15]}

While on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, near Damascus, he was hit by a bolt of light from the sky and dropped to the ground. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the Damascus ( دمشق,, also commonly known as الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. He heard a voice: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. " Paul's traveling companions heard the voice also, but did not see anyone and when Paul stood up, he was blind. They led him to Damascus and for three days he was blind and didn't eat or drink. ^[16]

Healing by Ananias

The alleged house of St. Ananias in Damascus. Ananias was a disciple of Jesus, and is traditionally listed as one of the Seventy Disciples whose mission is recorded in Luke 10 Damascus ( دمشق,, also commonly known as الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria.

A disciple in Damascus named Ananias also had a vision: "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. In Christianity, the disciples were the students of Jesus during his ministry. The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he had seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. The laying on of hands is a religious practice found throughout the world in varying forms " "Lord," St. Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. Ananias was a disciple of Jesus, and is traditionally listed as one of the Seventy Disciples whose mission is recorded in Luke 10 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name. " But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. " Ananias performed the deed, Paul's vision was restored, after "something like scales" fell from his eyes, he was baptized, and after eating he regained his strength. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted ^[17]

Paul recounts the episode in a speech to a "crowd in Jerusalem" in their language, most likely Aramaic (see also Aramaic of Jesus). Aramaic is a Semitic language with Most scholars believe that historical '''Jesus''' primarily spoke Aramaic, with some Hebrew and Greek, although there His companions saw the light but didn't understand or hear the voice. Ananias was said to be a "devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. " He stood over Paul and said: "Brother Saul, receive your sight!" and Paul's vision was restored. He added: "Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name. "^[18]

Paul's Charge of Mission into the World

Paul returned to Jerusalem and was praying in Herod's Temple when he "fell into a trance" and "saw the Lord speaking. Herod's Temple in Jerusalem was a massive expansion of the Temple Mount and construction of a completely new and much larger Jewish Temple by King " The voice told him to leave quickly because the people knew he had persecuted the Jewish Christians, including Saint Stephen. Jewish Christians (sometimes called also "Hebrew Christians" or "Christian Jews") is a term which can have two meanings a historical one and a The voice also told him: "Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles. " Upon hearing this, the "crowd in Jerusalem" shouted: "Rid the earth of him! He's not fit to live!"

Paul defends himself in front of the Roman client King Agrippa who is said to be very knowledgable in all things Jewish. In Ancient Roman society a client ( Latin, Cliens) was a Plebeian who was sponsored by a Patron benefactor ( Patronus For other with this name see Agrippa (disambiguation. Agrippa II (b PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The light enveloped the whole party and they all fell to the ground and Paul heard a voice in the Hebrew language, most likely Aramaic: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. The goad is a traditional farming implement used to spur or guide lifestock usually Oxen which are pulling a Plough or a Cart; used also to round " Then I asked, "Who are you, Lord?" "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," the Lord replied. "Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Satan, ( Standard Hebrew Satan'el, English accuser) is a term that originates from the Abrahamic faiths, being traditionally " Paul said he followed the commands of the voice and spread the word, first to Damascus, then to Jerusalem, then to all of Judea and the Gentiles, to "repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. Judea or Judæa ( Hebrew: יהודה Standard Yəhuda Tiberian Yəhûḏāh, "praised The term Gentile (from Latin, gentilis, meaning of or belonging to a clan or tribe refers to non- Israelite tribes or nations in the Bible. " For this reason he says the "Jews" (more likely the Judeans) tried to kill him. Kingdom of Judea redirects here For the 10th-6th century BCE kingdom see Kingdom of Judah Iudaea ( Hebrew: יהודה Standard But he told Agrippa that he said nothing beyond what the Prophets and Moses said would happen, "that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles. Nevi'im (נְבִיאִים "Prophets" is the second of the three major sections in the Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, between the term " Torah " ( Hebrew: תּוֹרָה "teaching" or "instruction" sometimes translated as "Law" most commonly refers to Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " Within the body of Christian beliefs the resurrection of Jesus is a core event on which much of Christian doctrine and theology depend " At this point Porcius Festus interrupted: "You are out of your mind . Porcius Festus was Procurator of Judea from about AD 58 to 62 succeeding Antonius Felix. . . Your great learning is driving you insane. "^[19]

Popular Usage

From the Conversion of Paul, we get the metaphorical reference to the "Road to Damascus" that has come to refer to a sudden conversion of thought or a change of heart or mind even in matters outside of a Christian context. Metaphor (from the Greek: μεταφορά - metaphora, meaning "transfer" is language that directly compares seemingly unrelated subjects

See also

• The Conversion of Saint Paul (Caravaggio)
• Conversion on the Way to Damascus
• Confession of St. Peter
• Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• Calendar of saints
• Roman Catholic calendar of saints
• General Roman Calendar as in 1954
• Liturgical year
• Blinded by the Light
• Tabor Light

References

Notes and citations

Further reading

• Easton's Bible Dictionary originally published in 1897. The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. The Acts of the Apostles is a book of the Bible, which now stands fifth in the New Testament. (see listing "Paul")
• Jewish Encyclopedia (1901–1906)
• Ahahroni, Yohanan and Avi-Yonah, Michael. The Jewish Encyclopedia was an Encyclopedia originally published between 1901 and 1906 by Funk and Wagnalls. The MacMillan Bible Atlas (New York: MacMillan Publishing Co. , Inc. & Collier MacMillan Publishers, 1968, 1977).