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Icon nb 86a
Size : 42 x 22 cm.
Linden board
Gilded halo. Egg tempera.
Saul was born in the year 10 into a jewish family of Tarsus, a renowned port city in Turkey. In adolescence, his parents sent him to Jerusalem to be educated by the Pharisees. Influenced by their principles, he participated in the persecution of Christians in the region. One day, on the way to Damascus, he collapsed and heard the voice of Christ: “Why are you persecuting me?” Dazzled by a bright and springing light, he became blind, he converted, and asked to be baptized. Miraculously, Saul—who became Paul—recovered his sight. His parents said: “We know that this is our son,” they said, “and we know that he was blind, but how he now sees we do not know…” (John 9:20-21).
Paul will no longer live except for Jesus. Back in Jerusalem, Paul met Peter. There, he received the title of Apostle and the mission to evangelize the Mediterranean region. During his travels and encounters, he wrote his Epistles.
He was arrested in Italy on the orders of Emperor Nero. He was sentenced to death by the Roman court, and beheaded on the way to Ostia, while Peter was crucified on the Vatican hill. The martyrdom of Peter and Paul took place on the same day: June 29, 67 AD. The basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul Outside the Walls were erected over their tombs.
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