Paul of Neocaesarea

Saint Paul was bishop of Neocaesarea in the time of Constantine the Great and is known above all for having shown to the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea, in the year 325, the marks of the torments he had endured for the faith under the emperor Licinius. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on 23 December.

According to Orthodox tradition, at his trial under Licinius Paul firmly confessed his faith and was subjected to beating, starvation and mutilation. Theodoret writes that he lost the use of both his hands, because red-⁠hot iron had been applied to them, which contracted and destroyed the sinews that give movement to the muscles.

After the defeat of Licinius in 324, Constantine the Great became sole ruler of the Roman Empire, and the Christians in prison received their freedom. Paul was released then and took part in the Council of Nicaea. At the end of the Council the emperor Constantine received the participants and kissed Paul's burned and crippled hands.