St. Paul

Paul came from a devout Jewish family located in Tarsus during the 1st century AD, now part of modern day Turkey.  He became a Jewish Pharisee, a sect of Judaism known for their strict observance of rituals , ceremonies and the written law.  Just a few years after Jesus death, Paul, a Jew, earned a reputation for persecuting Christians and even participating in their murder.  While traveling to Damascus, he was temporarily blinded after being struck by a "light" during which he experienced divine contact with Jesus.  This event dramatically transformed Paul's life, turning him into one of the strongest advocates of Christianity.   Paul's writings are responsible for more books of the New Testament Bible than any other author.  He is venerated as the patron saint of several locations including the city of London and the Island of Malta, where he was shipwrecked while under arrest and on his way to Rome.  He later died a martyrs death for his Christian faith.