The memory of St. Paul

Paul was a native of Corinth [Corinth, the oldest of the cities of Greece, was in the northern part of the ancient Argolis, on the shore of the Gulf of Corinth], of Christian parents; having been brought up in godliness and loving God from his youth, he came to one of the monasteries and received a monastic ordination there; he labored much in the feats of the postnites and was an experienced ascetic.

One night, while Paul was praying, a demon came to him in a vision and said, "If you do not obey me, I will punish you!"

And the devil taught a certain harlot to bring unto the saint a new-born child, and laying him upon the bed of the saint, she said unto him, I have conceived this from thee, and have borne it. And the old man received him with joy.

"Brothers, listen! " he said". Tell us who his father is. " When Paul heard this, he tore his clothes and pointed to the blacksmith.

Paul laid his hands on the sick, and they were healed. And when he was seventy years old, he departed to the Lord, to whom he had served tirelessly, and was counted among the saints, to praise the one God in the Trinity, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

This day commemorates the Reverend Fathers Sergius and Herman, the Miracle Makers of Valaam, who died around 1353.