Saint Paul of Constantinople: Life and Remembrance on November 6th

On November 6th, the Orthodox Church celebrates the memory of St. Paul the Confessor, Archbishop of Constantinople. This day commemorates a life filled with faith and suffering, and one of the key figures in early Christianity.

St. Paul, who lived in the 4th century, stands out as a person who left a lasting mark on the history of the church. Born in Seleucia, Cilicia, which is today a territory of Turkey, he demonstrated deep faith and piety from an early age.

The election of St. Paul as Archbishop of Constantinople, following the death of the previous Archbishop Alexander in 337 AD, occurred during a period of intense religious struggles. This was a time when the Arians, who rejected the divine nature of Jesus Christ, opposed the supporters of the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the equality between the Son of God and God the Father. St. Paul proved to be a staunch defender of Orthodox Christianity, advocating for the Nicene doctrine.

The Arian opposition and the intervention of political figures, specifically Emperor Constantius II, who sympathized with Arianism, led to the persecution of Paul. As a result, he was forced to hide on several occasions. His first exile was in Pontus. Subsequently, after his return, he was again banished, under pressure from the Arian faction. The subsequent exiles, especially in Asia Minor and Armenia, were extremely harsh.

St. Paul went through numerous trials, demonstrating unwavering faith. In Armenia, during his exile, he was brutally murdered around 350 AD during a service, by order of the Arian governors. His death was perceived as a martyrdom, and as a confessor he became famous for his courage in upholding Orthodox doctrine.

The traditions and customs associated with November 6th have their significance in folk tradition.

On this day, important divinations related to weather conditions are performed. If it snows, a snowy winter is coming. If the birds remain on the branches of the trees, frost and wind are expected. Calm weather forebodes an imminent frost.

On this day, special attention is required to words and thoughts. It is not allowed to speak ill of the deceased or to mention their sins, so as not to cause misfortune. Also, planning revenge or thinking negatively about other people is not recommended, as this can negatively affect health.

Often during this period, rivers and other bodies of water freeze. Therefore, fishing is undesirable. Women usually stay at home to do housework.