Saint of the Day – 7 March – St Paul the Simple (Died c339) Hermit, Disciple of St Anthony Abbot, gifted with prophecy and miracles. Also known as – “The Pride of the Desert.”
Paul had long been a humble farmer in Egypt when, at the age of sixty, he discovered that his wife was unfaithful. Leaving her, he set out for the desert and went to Anthony to become a follower. Anthony at first refused him, saying it would be quite impossible for a man of sixty years to adopt such a radical life style.
But Paul was persistent, leading Anthony to give him a host of demanding and arduous tasks which Paul fulfilled with such humility, obedience and simplicity that Anthony allowed him entry into the community.
Paul was termed by Anthony the ideal Monk and the so-called “The Pride of the Desert,” bearing with honour the title “The Simple.” The Monk and Historian Rufinus and the Historian, Palladius both made reference to Paul.
By tradition, he could read minds, cure the sick and cast out demons. St Anthony, it is recorded, had passed a possessed youth saying, “I cannot help the boy, for I have not received power over the prince of the demons. Paul the Simple, however, does have this gift.”
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