Paul of Ptolemais

Holy Martyr Paul of Ptolemais is commemorated on 17 March and on 30 August with his sister, the holy martyr Julia. Both were put to death in the time of the emperor Aurelian (270-275) in the Phoenician city of Ptolemais. One day the emperor came to Ptolemais. Paul, among those who greeted him, made the sign of the cross, which was noticed, and he was thrown in prison. The next day, brought to trial, he openly and courageously confessed his faith in Christ and was subjected to cruel torments. Julia, seeing her brother's sufferings, began to accuse the emperor in the hearing of all of injustice and cruelty, and so she too was tormented.

The martyrs were beaten, their bodies torn with iron hooks and burned on red-⁠hot grates, without their patience being broken. Three soldiers who tormented them, amazed at the greatness of their spirit, believed in Christ. These, Quadratus, Acacius and Stratonicus, were put to death at once. The tormentor tried to lure Julia with the promise to take her as his wife if she renounced Christ, but the saint rejected it and remained unmoved. By the emperor's command she was taken to a house of ill repute, but the Lord kept her there too: those who wished to touch her lost their sight. The emperor, angry, ordered the bodies of the martyrs burned again. The people around, seeing the sufferings of the innocent, began to murmur loudly, and Aurelian ordered them beheaded at once. Brother and sister went to their death with joyful faces, singing: You have saved us, O Lord, from those who afflict us, and have put to shame those who hate us.

Saint Paul is commemorated on 17 March and on 30 August, in the new style.