Paul of Caesarea in Palestine

Holy Martyr Paul of Caesarea in Palestine is commemorated on 1 March (a movable date) together with his eleven companions, among them the presbyter Pamphilus, the deacon Valens, Porphyrius, Seleucus, Theodulus, Julian, Samuel, Elijah, Daniel, Jeremiah and Isaiah. All suffered in the persecution of Diocletian, in the years 308-309, at Caesarea in Palestine.

Pamphilus, born in Berytus (Beirut) and educated at Alexandria, was a presbyter at Caesarea. He laboured much at comparing and correcting the texts of the New Testament corrupted by copyists, copied and sent the corrected copies to those who wished them, and gathered a rich library of spiritual books. Blessed Jerome revered him greatly and counted it a happiness that he kept manuscripts of his. In proclaiming the faith he was helped by Valens, a deacon of Aelia, an old man and a knower of Scripture, and by Paul, burning with faith and love for Christ. All three spent two years in prison by order of the governor Urban. Under his successor Firmilian, a hundred and thirty Egyptian Christians were sent to the gold mines of Cilicia, and five young brothers accompanied them. On their return they were stopped at Caesarea and thrown in prison for confessing Christ. The young men called themselves Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Samuel and Daniel, and asked about their homeland, they said they were citizens of Jerusalem, meaning the heavenly Jerusalem. Firmilian knew of no such city, since Jerusalem had been destroyed by Titus in the year 70 and Hadrian had built Aelia Hadriana there. After long tortures, achieving nothing, he ordered them beheaded with the sword, together with Pamphilus, Valens and Paul.

Before that Porphyrius had suffered, the eighteen-⁠year-⁠old servant of the presbyter Pamphilus, who asked leave to bury the bodies of the condemned and was burned at the stake. Seleucus, a former soldier, went to Pamphilus and told him of Porphyrius's end; he was seized and beheaded. Theodulus, an old servant of the governor and a secret Christian, kissed the martyrs led to death and was crucified. Julian, a young Cappadocian, kissed the bodies left unburied and was burned. The bodies of the twelve lay four days untouched, spared by beasts and birds, and the pagans, disturbed, allowed the Christians to bury them.

Saint Paul is commemorated on 1 March, in the new style.