View source for Paul the Confessor

[[File:St paul of constantinople.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Saint Paul of Constantinople]]
Our father among the [[saint]]s '''Paul the Confessor''' or '''Paul I of Constantinople''' lived during the fourth century, and served as [[Patriarch of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]] during three periods: from 337 to 339, from 341 to 342, and from 346 to 351.

The [[Arianism|Arians]], led by the Eastern emperor, Constantius, revolted against the election of Paul to his [[see]].  Emperor Constantius held a council, banishing Paul and electing in his stead Eusebius of [[Nicomedia]].  Eusebius also banished other Orthodox [[bishop]]s to Rome.  After Eusebius died, Paul returned to Constantinople.  Although he was greeted warmly by the people, Emperor Constantius once again banished him to Rome.  The Western emperor, Constans, returned Paul to Constantinople with a threatening letter to his eastern co-ruler, resulting in Paul's reinstatement as [[archbishop]].

After Constans was murdered in a palace coup, Paul was banished again, but now to Cucusus in Armenia.  There, celebrating the [[Divine Liturgy]], Arians came upon him and strangled him with his [[omophorion]].

In 381, Emperor [[Theodosius the Great]] transferred St. Paul's [[relics]] to Constantinople.  Nearly a thousand years later, in 1326, they were further moved to [[Venice]].


{{start box}}
{{succession|
before=[[Alexander of Constantinople|Alexander]]|
title=[[List of Patriarchs of Constantinople|Archbishop of Constantinople]]|
years=337-339|
after=[[Macedonius I of Constantinople|Macedonius I]]}}
{{succession|
before=[[Eusebius of Nicomedia]]|
title=Archbishop of Constantinople|
years=341-342|
after=Macedonius I}}
{{succession|
before=Macedonius I|
title=Archbishop of Constantinople|
years=346-351|
after=Macedonius I|}}
{{end box}}