Saint Paul, the Apostle
Jewish Talmudic student. Pharisee. Tent-maker by trade. Saul the Jew hated and persecuted Christians asheretical, even assisting at the stoning of Saint Stephen the Martyr. On his way to Damascus, Syria, to arrestanother group of faithful, he was knocked to the ground, struck blind by a heavenly light, and given the message that in persecuting Christians, he was persecuting Christ. The experience had a profound spiritual effect on him, causing his conversion to Christianity. He was baptized, changed his name to Paul to reflect his new persona, and began travelling, preaching and teaching. His letters to the churches he help found form a large percentage of the New Testament. Knew and worked with many of the earliest saints and fathers of the Church. Martyr.
Saint Peter, the Apostle
Professional fisherman. Brother of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the man who led him to Christ. Apostle. Renamed “Peter” (rock) by Jesus to indicate that Peter would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. Bishop. First Pope. Miracle worker.
