Duodecim Apostoli

Apostle to the Gentiles

Given name

Saul of Tarsus

Feast day

June 29 (with Saint Peter) · Conversion: January 25

Symbols

Sword · book · ship

New Testament

Romans · Corinthians · Galatians · Ephesians · Philippians · Colossians · Thessalonians · Timothy · Titus · Philemon · Hebrews (traditionally)

Death

Beheaded in Rome under Nero, c. AD 67

A Pharisee and persecutor of the Church, Saul was struck down on the road to Damascus and called by the risen Christ. Renamed Paul, he became the great missionary to the Gentiles, planting churches across the Mediterranean. His epistles form a cornerstone of Catholic theology on grace, the Church, and the Eucharist.

Not one of the original Twelve, but equal in apostolic authority by divine commission.

I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (1 Corinthians 15:9)