Saint Paul of Thebesis also known as the First Hermit, was an Egyptian hermit and a friend of Saint Jerome.

Paul was reportedly born in Egypt, where he was orphaned by age 15. He was a learned and devout young man.

During the persecution of Decius in Egypt in the year 250, Paul was forced to hide in the home of a friend. Fearing a brother-in-law would betray him, he fled in a cave in the desert. His plan was to return once the persecution ended, but the sweetness of solitude and heavenly contemplation convinced him to stay.

Paul soon found that the eremitical life was much to his personal taste, and so remained in a desert cave for the rest of his reportedly very long life. He went on to live in that cave for the next 90 years. A nearby spring gave him drink, a palm tree furnished him clothing and nourishment.

After 21 years of solitude, a bird began bringing him half of a loaf of bread each day. Without knowing what was happening in the world, Paul prayed that the world would become a better place.

His contemplative existence was disturbed by Saint Anthony of Egypt, who visited the aged Paul. Anthony attests to the holy life and death of this great saint. Tempted by the thought that no one had served God in the wilderness longer than he, Anthony was led by God to find Paul and acknowledge him as a man more perfect than himself. The raven that day brought a whole loaf of bread instead of the usual half. As Paul predicted, Anthony would return to bury his new friend.

Anthony also buried Paul, supposedly wrapping him in a cloak that had been given to Anthony by St. Athanasius. According to legend, two lions assisted Anthony in digging the grave. While there is little doubt that Paul lived, the only source for details on his life are found in the Vita Pauli written by St. Jerome and preserved in both Latin and Greek versions.

Thought to have been about 112 when he died, Paul is known as the “First Hermit.” His feast day is celebrated in the East; he is also commemorated in the Coptic and Armenian rites of the Mass.
- CatholicOnline, Franciscan Media

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Maurus of Italy
2. Saint Macarius of Egypt
3. Saint Arnold Janssen
4. Saint Romedio of Nonsberg
5. Saint Francis Ferdinand de Capillas

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