source: http://mb-soft.com/believe/txo/paul.htm

happy namedays to all the Paul's and Pater's

Saint Paul, Saul
General Information

Saint Paul, also called Saul in Hebrew (Acts 7-13), was a leader of the early Christian movement and was instrumental in its spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. He was born in Tarsus of Cilicia in Anatolia probably between AD 1 and 10. Thirteen New Testament letters have been attributed to him, many of which show him adjusting Jewish ideas and traditions to new circumstances and measuring Old Testament laws by their relevance to Jesus Christ. The Book of Acts presents him as the apostle to the Gentiles and the most prominent early Christian leader next to Saint Peter.

Paul was born a Jew and trained to be a Pharisee, that is, a learned and strict observer of religious law. The New Testament records how he actively tried to suppress the early Christian movement through persecution (Gal. 1:13-14) until he was converted to Christianity by a visionary encounter with the risen Jesus while on the road to Damascus about AD 36 (Gal. 1:15-16; Acts 9:1-31; 22; 26). Because of this vision, Paul held that he, too, had met Jesus and was therefore qualified to be called an Apostle (1 Cor. 9:1). After being instructed and receiving Christian baptism in Damascus, Paul went to "Arabia" (probably the desert of Transjordan) for a short time; he then returned to Damascus for 3 years until he was driven out to Tarsus, probably in 40. Several years later Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch in Syria (Acts 11), where they ministered together for a year.

Paul spent the following 10 years on 3 lengthy missionary journeys to Anatolia and Greece. The second journey included an 18-month stay in Corinth and the third, 2-3 years in Ephesus on the Aegean Sea. During this time Paul wrote letters to churches he had previously founded and could not visit in person. Some of these letters have been preserved in the New Testament. Paul was especially concerned that he protect his understanding of the life and teachings of Jesus from alteration toward Jewish practices or toward Hellenistic religious and philosophical ideas. He instructed the Christian communities he founded in ethical behavior by correcting their failings and offering advice. The Book of Acts describes the typical pattern of Paul's ministry: he began by preaching in a synagogue but was soon expelled as a rabble-rouser; then, with a small number of Jewish adherents, Paul turned to the Gentiles, converting large numbers and occasionally encountering trouble with civil authorities.

The different accounts of Paul's visit to Jerusalem to settle the controversy over how much of the Jewish Law Gentile Christians were required to keep (Gal. 2; Acts 15) have never been fully reconciled. Years later (c.58), Paul brought a collection to Jerusalem for the city's poor Christians (Acts 21), but he was arrested. After 2 years in prison he used his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to the emperor and was sent to Rome for trial. The Book of Acts ends with Paul under house arrest (c.63), still preaching about Jesus. Clement of Rome and Eusebius of Caesarea report that Paul was eventually acquitted and traveled to Spain but was arrested again and martyred in Rome under Nero, c.67. Feast day: June 29 (with Saint Peter).

Anthony J. Saldarini

Bibliography
Beker, J. Christian, Paul the Apostle (1980); Bornkamm, Gunther, Paul, trans. by D. M. G. Stalker (1971); Davies, W. D., Paul and Rabbinic Judaism, 2d ed. (1955); Fitzmeyer, J. A., Pauline Theology (1967); Grant, Michael, Saint Paul (1976); Gunther, John J., Paul (1972); Jewett, Robert, Christian Tolerance: Paul's Message for the Modern World (1982); Keck, Leander E., Paul and His Letters, 2d rev. ed. (1988); Meeks, Wayne A., The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle Paul (1982; repr. 1984); Pollock, John C., The Apostle (1969); Ridderbos, H. M., Paul (1975); Sandmel, Samuel, The Genius of Paul (1958); Wiles, M. F., The Divine Apostle (1967).

quite a good read, thanks minaki

i think we all should know more about our saints...

You wouldn't have posted that up if your name was not Paul malaka

.

i see no historical existence for paul.

unless i see it in plutacrch and thucidedes,and other historical commentators around that time,i dont think there is much to say that these people and the walking on water and the fish feeding millions was ever real and true.

cleopatra and caesar existed.
jesus the nazarene and his band of homsexual consorts...well its a bit dubious.

Wow Russel, you are extremely respectful of other peoples beliefs

yep.
thats me.

a paragon of virtue when it comes to respecting the beliefs of those who destroyed hellenism.

yep.
no problem.
support those poustides that sat back and did nothing to help constantine defend constantinople against the turkish invasion.
the turkish forces were made up oif mercenaries which included greeks.
the orthodox church refused to release money to help the emperor buy some troops mercenaries and so the empire and capital fell.

bravo,poustarades,orthodoxi malakismeni traitors.

they enslaved the hellenes for 400 years,whilst still protecting their priveledged status with the tourkalades whilst the hellenes were raped and killed.

bravo.

ALL OF YOU REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU NEXT VISIT THE CHURCH AND SEE THE HYOPOCRITE PRIESTS TRY TO TELL YOU THEY REPRESENT GREEK TRADITION.

they are nothing but TRAITORS.

You have issues my friend. The vehemence in your tirade against the Orthodox church isn't reflective of some historical opinion you've developed through study--it's much more personal. I respect your right not to believe but I can guarantee you that you will never be able to present your argument effectively until you understand why most of the world's population does believe in something. Once you've gained that knowledge you can slam away as you will actually know what you're talking about. I for one am fully aware of the failings of religion (I'm married to a Catholic--take a look at their priests!!!) and look forward to your comments. But my advice to you is don't rant; just make your points (and you'll have lots of them).

ranting is a great way of getting the message across.

i see no harm.
it doesnt detract from my argument.

do you honestly think that constantinople would NOT have bene saved if the church had spent some of its money on mercenaries?

and can u tell me why the church survived for 400 years whilst the greek race was systematically eliminated?

no deal at all with the turks?


as for the catholics,well what can we say?
the historical documents and their role in covering up sexual and finacial scandals is well known.

ur wife should be ashamed of herself on belonging in this religion.
and u should make sure ur kids dont become catholics.

i suggest u consider the belief in Kwan Ti.

I've already replied to your Kwan ti on another thread. The other school of thought is that the Greek culture survived BECAUSE of the Orthodox church so don't dismiss it so quickly.
When ANY religion gets mixed up with politics problems occur. On that you have no argument from me. But it's actually our (believers) fault for letting the oligarchy that runs the church get away with poor behavior. What will result is guys like you: Critical, angry and willing to express themselves.

this the fundamental point exposing the biggest lie perpetrated on the greek people ever.

the idea that hellenism survived because of orthodoxy.

im suprised that orthodoxy hasnt managed to claim credit for the parthenon and for pericles.

give them time though...

Bravo Russel.

WTF does Saul have to do with Greece or Greek people? Some of you dont know if you believe in Greeks or Jews.

Do you guys know that when Saul preached in Athens only 2 people came with him? And those 2 people where Jews of course.

Do you guys know that when Saul went to the Ekklissia (the true meaning of this is a gathering of philosophers) he was laughed at and slapped (the ultimate insult for stupidity) and you guys believe in this worthless crap?

Do you guys even know that on Sunday of Orthodoxy your priests spit on Aristotle, Pluto, Socrates and 4 other Philosophers? Why are they speaking on the wise ones?

Do you guys know that St.George is stabbing a Hellene in his pic? Why dont you read on who he is killing? Learn my blind brothers

GG, I would appreciate if you can give links to those statements so I have a look at them and give them a read and offer a reply.

why was Jesus and his disciples homosexual?

This is an odd comment coming from a homosexual's like you and that's hangs out with your freemason homo mates.

um, actually 5,000 Greeks and 2,000 Italian Messenaries, versed 100,000 Turk troops and killed 50,000 of those Turks.. in other words half of them...

That's more balls and fighting ability than you or your freemason mates can ever muster up








lol, there were 2,000 merceneries lol...

and the reason why they're weren't more was because the kolo Pope wouldn't give us any, because he'd only do so if Greece converted to Catholism... sorry, but we aren't sellouts, and us Greek's have always been known for sticking up for our beleives...







LOL, what do you mean, from 1453 to 1923, the Sultan deposed of 105 out of the 159 Patraich's of Constantinople... what do you mean the Partiach was priveliged and powerful.. lol






No the only traitor's are you and your freemason mates, that try brainwash Greeks with your false lies, trying to destroy Christianity...
Greeks always stood for the truth...
and youz are blaming the Orthodox church for lies, yet youz are dishing out lies and false propanganda against Christianiity at 100 miles an hour.

The Priests are the scum of the Earth.

Absolute peasants, lowly educated, superstitious, ignorant filth.

The Church is a product of their views, the bible is a product of their views - as the bible was re-written by the Churches to give them some credibility.

I doubt the bible ever existed until Priests manufactured it.

Jesus is son of Joseph and Mary, whom is not a virgin

Are you saying the DRAGON that St George is stabbing is greek?

ALSO
In Greece, St. George is the patron saint of the Hellenic Army. His image adorns all regimental battle flags (Colours), and military parades are held in his honour on 23 April every year in most army garrison towns and cities

lol, yes the Greek race did survive because of the Orthodox church. Back than in the Ottoman Empire you were idenetified by religion first, race second, so for example, if you were Greek but converted to Islam, you were identified as a Turk rather than Greek.. or if you were a Turk but converted to Christianity you were identified as a Greek, or Armenian or whatever.
So if it wasn't for the Orthodox religion, Greeks would of being coverted to Islam like Dominoes, and become Turks, and the Greek race- well would of bascially finished.
So before you bag the Orthodox church, thank them that your name is 'Russel' and not 'Mehmeti'

you refering to me or Russel?

Bullshit!!! So why are there muslim Greeks in northen Greece. Why did muslim Greeks fight truks then in 1821??

Because, there were some that still felt more loyalty to Greece that's why. Obviously the rest that coverted to Islam thought of themselves as Turks.
But it's a fact that under the Ottoman government, your religion identified your race.

Orthodoxy made you Byzantine, Romaioi...
Pantheon makes you Greek.
That is, if religion defined your ethnicity back then.

FYI, what about Bosnians under Ottoman rule? They were Catholic and Orthodox but never lost their identity.. they were never called 'Turks.'

[quote name='nate' date='Apr 30 2007, 05:37 PM' post='92626']
Orthodoxy made you Byzantine, Romaioi...
Pantheon makes you Greek.
That is, if religion defined your ethnicity back then.[/quote]


Romaioi were considered Greeks.. Same thing.


Nate said:
[quote]FYI, what about Bosnians under Ottoman rule? They were Catholic and Orthodox but never lost their identity.. they were never called 'Turks.'[/quote]

Not sure... and how do you know they weren't called Turks?

but just to prove my point that you were identfied by your religion first, and race second


Ottoman Empire:
[quote]People were bound to their millets by their religious affiliations (or their confessional communities), rather than their ethnic origins, according to the millet concept.[/quote]



ps. why isn't the quoteing workin again?

There are no references to Greeks = Romaioi in any history book I've read.

Therefore romaioi does not equal Greek.

The Ottoman Census records Bosnians, as Muslim-Serbs.
So Ottomans viewed religion and race separately. We know this to because of their contempt for the Arabs.

Greeks WERE Romaioi... it's like saying Hellenes do not equal Greeks...

Romaioi is what we were simply called at the time because our nation was called ''Eastern Roman Empire'' or ''Romana''




Nate said:



The facts speak differently


As for the Bosnian example, they probably didn't get called Turks, I guess cause Bosnia was a distance away from Turkey...unlike Greece which is right next to Turkey and the Turks did try to a decent extend to breed their race into ours...

Greeks were not Romaioi.
Greek was never an ethnicity until the Church incorrectly brought the name back.
Greek = Pantheon Gods, Logic before all else. A culture.
Romaioi = Church propaganda before all else - Modern 'Greeks' are really Romaioi by and large as many people never question the church. A real Greek will question everything and anything.



It doesn't matter if we border or not, the facts are turks viewed ethnicity and religion.
Greek muslims are therefore that, not Turks.

The church didn't bring the name ''Greece'' back... the name ''Greek'' of ''Greece'' is derived from the word ''Grecia''. It was the English that brought it back... Not the church lol


nate said:


You say Christians don't question the church, but do you think that the 12 God beleivers in Ancient times questioned whether Zeus created the earth and stuff? no. most didn't



nate said:


As i said, the facts speak for themselves



Also not to mention in 1922, when Greece and Turkey did population exchanges, and Greek Muslims in Greece went to Turkey, and Turk Christians in Turkey went to Greece

You're splitting heirs, because you don't have an argument.

Greek ≠ Ethnicity.

Greek = Culture.

Therefore, Lack of Greek-Culture = Not Greek.

Greek is the English name for Ellinas, Ellinida or as an adjective Ellinika..
Greece, in modern times = Ellada. The Church wrongfully use those names to define nation & race.

Ellada = Modern Greece. Irrespective of religion - it was always known by this name to define the states that went by the culture.
Ellines = Greeks belonging to the original 12 God faith.

Romaioi = Orthodox 'Greeks'


The facts do speak for themselves;

The fact that Ottoman Census viewed Race AND religion separately.

Therefore it's a fact Muslim ≠ Turk.

Greek is both a Culture and Ethnicity...

It just depends on What Greek culture represent for you personally.




Ellines are both Orthodox and Greek God beleivers.. It depends on how you view Greek culture... Orthodox and 12 God beleivers obviously just have a different idea of Greek culture






we can keep disagreeing on this... let's leave this one lol

There is no doubt that the debate over the role of the church will never end. As a Christian I have my prejudices and I make no apologies for them. However, I am Greek and I question EVERYTHING! Not everyone is brainwashed and I resent the inference that I might be because I follow a religion some of you disparage. That type of prejudice is just as bad as the one you accuse the priests of practicing.
HOWEVER, I completely agree with everyone who says that Orthodoxy is NOT the determiner of "Greekness". Our culture, our identity, our ethos and our view of the world was determined by ancestors a thousand years before the founding of christianity. For the Church to say that being Greek means you have to be Orthodox is simply erroneous. The Church did more to protect Greece from the Ottomans that you may want to give it credit for but I recognize anyone who is of Greek blood regardless of religion.
This pantheon debate fascinates me but even with all the arguing on this and other threads, a clear definition of what it is/was has not emerged. The net doesn't show much. Nate et.al., you guys are making a lot of references to it. Do you have any info to share? It might make your position easier to understand.

Some people are brainwashed; they exist in every religion/philosophy.

Someone who thinks the same as I do can be brainwashed IF they do not understand the factors that support that particular conclusion as well as respect and understand the factors that bring others to the various other conclusions of belief.

Also one must not feel their conclusion based on belief is absolute, beliefs are not absolute and even facts are debatable in some cases.

One who is without questioning and gives blind compliance is brainwashed; no matter what their view is.