Venerable Paul the Simple
Memory of March 7/20
(MP3 file. Duration 6:39 min. Size 4.8 Mb) Read by Hieromonk Cleopas (Danelyan)
Venerable Paul the Simple
Blessed Paul[1] was a farmer, extremely simple and gentle. He lived in Egypt during the time of St. Anthony the Great. Paul married a woman of beautiful appearance, but depraved, who hid her sins from him for a long time. One day, suddenly returning from the field, he caught her in sin with another man. Laughing, he told them: “Okay, okay, I don’t care about that. I swear to Jesus, I will not accept this woman again. Go take her and her children. And I’m leaving to become a monk.” Paul withdrew into the deep desert where Saint Anthony lived and knocked on the door of the saint’s cell. Coming out, he asked: “What do you want?” Paul said: “I want to become a monk.” “You are 60 years old,” answered Saint Anthony, “you are too old to become a monk, you cannot bear the sorrows of the desert. But it’s better to go to the village, work and live, thanking God.” Since Paul insisted, promising to fulfill everything that the Monk Anthony commanded, he suggested that he go to a cenobitic monastery, where the brethren could bear his senile infirmity. Then he locked the door and did not come out for three days. However, Paul did not move a single step and sat without food or water in front of the saint’s cell. When Anthony opened the door on the fourth day, Paul said to him: “It is impossible for me to die anywhere except here.”
Then the great ascetic decided to test Paul and took upon himself a life such as he had never experienced in his youth. He broke palm branches and ordered Paul to weave a rope following his example. The elder novice weaved until the ninth hour and with difficulty weaved about 30 meters of rope, but Anthony was dissatisfied and ordered it to be unbraided and work started again. At the same time, Paul did not complain, did not lose heart, and never became irritated.
After sunset, Anthony suggested: “Do you want us to eat a piece of bread?” Paul replied: “As you wish, Abba,” without showing the slightest greed, although he had not eaten for four days. Anthony set the table, brought dry bread, soaked it in water and began to read a psalm. After reading it 12 times, he prayed 12 times. Then Anthony ate one loaf of bread, but did not touch the other. The old man, who ate more slowly, still had some bread left. The Monk Anthony waited until he finished and invited him to eat another loaf of bread. Paul answered him: “If you eat, so will I.” If you don’t, then I won’t either.” To this Anthony objected: “One is enough for me, because I am a monk.” “And one is enough for me,” answered Paul, “for I also want to become a monk.”
Then Anthony got up, said 12 prayers and read 12 psalms, and then, after a short sleep, he rose again to pray at midnight and continued it until the morning. When he saw that the old man willingly followed his way of life, he told him: “If you can live like this every day, stay with me.” Paul replied: “Truly, if there is anything greater than this, I don’t know if I can. And if it’s something I’ve seen before, then I’ll do it easily.” The next day, Anthony joyfully announced to Paul: “So you have become a monk!”
During the agreed months, Anthony became fully convinced that his disciple was perfect in soul, being extremely simple, and that the grace of God was assisting him. Then he built Paul a cell three or four miles from his and said: “Now you are a monk. Stay alone to accept temptations from demons.” After spending a year in valiant deeds, Paul received from God the grace to cast out demons and heal illnesses.
One day they brought a possessed man to St. Anthony, who was possessed by a demonic prince who blasphemed Heaven itself. The saint, looking at him carefully, said to those who brought the sick man: “This is none of my business. I have not yet received such grace to cope with the princely legion, but this is Paul’s business.” The possessed man was brought to Paul, and the Monk Anthony commanded the blessed one: “Abba Paul, cast out this demon from the man so that he can go home healthy!” Pavel asked: “What are you doing?” Anthony explained: “I have no time, I have business,” and, leaving him, returned to his cell.
Paul, relying only on the prayer of his spiritual father, prayed fervently and commanded the demon: “Abba Anthony ordered you to get out of this man!” But the demon shouted with abuse: “I won’t go out, dishonest elder!” Then Paul, taking his mantle, hit the possessed man on the back with the words: “Come out, said Abba Anthony!” But the demon began to scold both him and Anthony even more strongly. Finally, Paul threatened him that he would go and tell Christ Himself, but the demon again refused to come out. Getting angry, Paul left his cell in the midday heat, when the heat was like in the cave of Babylon, and, standing on a stone, plunged into prayer, crying out: “You see, Jesus Christ, crucified under Pontius Pilate, that I will not come down from this stone , I will neither eat nor drink until I die, unless You drive the spirit out of this man and free him!” And before these words left his lips, the demon cried out: “O violence! Paul’s simplicity drives me out!” And immediately the spirit came out of the possessed man and turned into a huge serpent, which rushed into the Red Sea.
Such is the favor which God shows to all who, like Paul, have devoted themselves entirely to Him, with all the simplicity of their hearts.
The Life of Our Venerable Father Paul the Simple
Anthony did all this in order to test Paul’s patience and obedience. And he did not grumble at all about this, but with zeal and diligence he carried out all the commands of Anthony.
Finally, Anthony became convinced of Paul’s ability to live in the desert and said to him:
“Now you have already become a monk in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
And Anthony ordered him to live alone, making a cell for him at a distance of four stone throws from his own. And blessed Paul stayed near Saint Anthony in that separate cell, working day and night in monastic deeds; for this he received from God power over unclean spirits in order to cast them out and heal ailments.
Once a young man was brought to Saint Anthony who had within himself an unclean spirit, very evil and strong, one of the princes of darkness, who blasphemed God.
But Anthony said:
“This is none of my business, for I have not received from God power over the strongest demons, but simple Paul has this gift.” And he went with the young man to Paul and said to him:
- Abba Pavel! cast out the unclean spirit from this young man, so that the young man can return to his home healthy, praising God.
But Paul said:
- And you, father, why didn’t you expel him?
Anthony replied:
“I have one urgent matter and that’s why I brought him to you.”
And, leaving the possessed youth and Paul, Anthony left. And Paul, having prayed to God, said to the demon:
- Devil! Abba Anthony orders you to leave this man.
The devil answered with abuse:
“I won’t go out, you all-evil and deceitful old man.” Then Paul, taking the skin in which he walked, began to beat him, saying:
“Come out,” Saint Anthony commanded you.
But the devil did not want to come out. Then Paul said:
- Either you go out, or I will pray to Christ and it will be bad for you.
But the demon, blaspheming Christ, said:
- I won’t go out.
Then Paul became angry with the demon, and at noon, when in Egypt the sun was burning like a fiery furnace, he climbed onto a stone and stood on it like a motionless pillar, calling out to Christ:
- Lord Jesus Christ, crucified under Pontius Pilate! You know that I will not come down from this stone, even if I have to die on it, and I will not eat either bread or water until You hear me and cast out the demon from this young man.
While he was still saying this, the demon began to shout:
“I go out and go out and don’t know where I’ll be.” And leaving the young man, the demon turned into a large serpent, 70 lacti long, and settled in the Red Sea4. So Saint Paul defeated the devil with his simplicity and humility; for people cast out the weakest demons by the power of faith, and people defeat the rulers of the princes of demons by the power of humility, like this Saint Paul.
Blessed Paul also had the gift of insight. Once, having entered one monastery, he stood at the church, observing who entered it with what thought. It was vespers and everyone entered the church with a joyful face and an enlightened soul, and with each of them a guardian angel entered with joy. One brother went to church with a gloomy face, an embittered soul, being surrounded by demons, each of which attracted him to himself; His guardian angel followed at a distance, despondent and weeping. Seeing this, the saint was saddened and greatly grieved for his dead brother; Out of great sadness, Saint Paul did not enter the church, but sat outside it weeping. When the church service ended, all the brethren left the same as they entered, and the Divine light illuminated them. Paul also saw the one who had been gloomy before; and now his face shone like the face of an angel, and the grace of the Holy Spirit overshadowed him, and his guardian angel joyfully held his hand; The demon was sobbing from afar and did not dare to even get a little closer to him.
Seeing such a rapid change that had happened to his brother, the blessed one was delighted and, stopping him, told those around him what he had seen and then asked his brother about the reason for his sudden change.
He, seeing himself convicted by God's revelation, in the presence of all the people, told everything about himself:
“I am,” he said, “very sinful: I have lived for many years until this day in lawlessness.” Entering the church today, I heard that they were reading the book of the prophet Isaiah, or better, God Himself, through the prophet saying: “ Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove your evil deeds from before my eyes; learn to do good: and though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow ” (Isaiah 1:16-18)5. Hearing this, I was touched in my soul, my spiritual eyes were opened in me and, recognizing my own villainy and wickedness, I said with contrition in my soul to God: “You, Lord, came into the world to save sinners, as you told me through your prophet today.” ; fulfill this with me, a sinner, in practice. For I vow from now on, with Your help, not only not to do any harm to anyone, but also to abandon all lawlessness and serve You, Master, with a clear conscience; Only You Yourself accept me repentant and do not reject me who falls to You. With such promises,” he continued, “I left the church, deciding in my heart not to sin again before God.
Hearing this, everyone with a loud voice glorified God, who accepts everyone who turns to Him in repentance.
So perspicacious was Saint Paul, for for his simplicity and gentleness he was filled with the grace of God. And who is more pleasing to God than someone who is kind? “ Let integrity and righteousness, ” says the Lord through the mouth of the Psalmist, “guard me ” (Ps. 24:21).
The monk lived in his holy simplicity for many years and, having performed many miracles, departed to the Lord. He who was simple and unlearned on earth has now become the wisest in heaven, more than all the wise men of this world, and with the wise cherubim he contemplates Christ, God's Power and God's Wisdom. For true wisdom consists in fearing God and, in purity of soul and kindness of heart, serving Him and pleasing Him.
Through the prayers, O Lord, of Thy saint, the simple Paul, make us wise in the fulfillment of Thy commandments. Grant that we may have Your fear as the beginning of wisdom, so that out of reverence for You, having turned away from sin, we may do good before You and receive Your mercy forever. Amen.
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1 St. Anthony the Great, the first founder of monastic life, an Egyptian by birth, labored on the eastern bank of the Nile River, near Thebaid. There, wearing a hair shirt, eating only herbs and roots, he, in constant labor and prayer, lived 20 years in obscurity, overcoming, by the grace of God, the seducing spirit that troubled him with temptations and fear. Finally, the holiness of life and miracles attracted many ascetics to Anthony in the desert; they settled near him and accepted the rules given by Anthony as a model of life, which was the beginning of monastic life. St. reposed Anthony, 105 years old, in 356. His memory is celebrated on January 17.
2 Lakot or cubit is a measure of length equal to 10.5 vershoks (about half a meter).
3 That is at such a distance from your cell that you can throw a stone four times.
4 The Red Sea, or the so-called Red Sea, is a long, narrow strait of the Indian Ocean that separates the Arabian Peninsula from Egypt and Asia from Africa. The Jews crossed this sea under Moses on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land, i.e. Palestine (Exodus 14).
5 (“Crimson”, i.e. dark red). Those. I will wash away those sinful stains from you, I will completely cleanse you from them (cf. Ps. 50:9). God, out of His mercy towards people, forgives their sins, but under the condition only of sincere repentance and moral correction.
6 Rev. Paul died in the 4th century.
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20th of March. Congratulations to the birthday people with the name Pavel (St. Pavel the Most Simple)
Saint Paul the Simple, Venerable
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Brief life of St. Paul the Simple lived in the 4th century. He is called simple for his simplicity and kindness. The monk was married, but, having learned about his wife’s infidelity, he left her and retired to the desert to the Monk Anthony the Great (January 17). Paul was already 60 years old, and Saint Anthony at first did not accept Paul, considering him incapable of the difficult life of a hermit. For three days Paul stood at the ascetic’s cell, saying that he would rather die than leave here. Then the Monk Anthony settled Paul with him, and for a long time he tested his patience and humility with hard work, severe fasting, night vigils, tireless singing of psalms and prostrations to the ground. Finally, the Monk Anthony allowed Paul to settle in a separate cell. For many years of asceticism, the Lord granted St. Paul clairvoyance and the power to cast out demons. When a demon-possessed young man was brought to the Monk Anthony, he sent the sick man to the Monk Paul with the words: “The great in faith can cast out only small demons, but the humble, like Paul the Simple, have power over the princes of demons.”
Prayer O sacred head, reverend father, most blessed Abvo Paul! Do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: remember your flock, which you yourself shepherded, and do not forget to visit your children, pray for us, holy father, for your spiritual children, for you have the boldness to To the Heavenly King: do not keep silent to the Lord for us, and do not despise us, who honor you with faith and love: remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for the grace has been given to you to pray for us. We do not imagine that you are dead: even though you have passed away from us in body, you remain alive even after death, do not depart from us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of the demonic and the snares of the devil, our good shepherd. Even if your relics are always visible before our eyes, but your holy soul with the angelic hosts, with the disembodied faces, with the heavenly powers, standing at the throne of the Almighty, worthily rejoices, knowing that you are truly alive even after death, we fall down to you and We pray to you: pray for us to the Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven without restraint, from bitter ordeals, from demons of air princes and from eternal torment, may we be delivered from eternal torment, and may we be heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous, who from all eternity have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ: to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father, and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion In you, father, you know that you were saved in the image: you accepted the Cross, you followed Christ, and in your deed you taught to despise the flesh, for it passes away; In the same way, O Reverend Paul, your spirit will rejoice with the Angels.
A gift for the birthday boy Paul - a “Save and Preserve” ring with chrysolite and zircon or a handwritten icon of St. Paul.
You can give an icon of St. Paul to your church; such a gift will always find its rightful place in it.
This and other gifts in the Agios charity online store agios-icon.ru/product/54520/54520/
You can also order a copy of one of the icons of St. Paul presented on agios-icon.ru/agios/prepodobnyy_pavel_preprostoy/1516/, made by our icon painter in the traditional way from traditional materials (board, gilding, paint).
