Paul of Corinth

Blessed Paul of Corinth was a fool for Christ. He is well attested in synaxaria from the tenth century onward (on 28 February, 6 November and other days), but the only thing we learn from them is the character of his labour: Paul is called a salos, a holy fool.

A verse canon in his honour survives, written by a countryman of the saint on the occasion of an attack on Corinth by enemies, the Ishmaelites, that is, the Arabs. The siege is dated to 879. It seems that Paul died shortly before the raid, and the townspeople's fear of the Arabs increased the veneration given him. The canon says that relatives, acquaintances and the people of his homeland, leaders, women and the poor look on his tomb, marvel at his virtues and, lamenting their orphanhood, call him father and great protector.

Like his predecessors, Paul was a provider of food for the poor, distributing to those in need the wealth received from pious people. He was adorned with bare feet and rags; he walked at night in prayers and petitions to God and shone with virtues as in daytime. Like every fool for Christ, by day he behaved disorderly, and by night, unseen, he watered the garden of his spiritual labours with springs of tears. The canon ascribes to him also the gift of prophecy, of seeing what is to come, and of healing.

Saint Paul is commemorated on 19 November, according to the Greek tradition. He is not included in the present calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church.