Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul

St. Paul, Feast of the Conversion of

January 25

Saul of Tarsus, a highly educated, devout Jew, was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus not long after the death of Jesus Christ. Later he was known as Paul and through his life, his teachings, and his writings became the most influential leader in the history of the church. According to tradition, he was beheaded during Nero's persecution of Christians about the year 67.
At St. Paul's Chapel in New York City, the oldest church building in Manhattan, the path through the graveyard that is routinely used as a shortcut between Broadway and Fulton Street is closed for 48 hours, beginning on the eve of the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.
At one time the weather on this day was linked to predictions about the coming year. Fair weather on St. Paul's Day was said to presage a prosperous year; snow or rain an unproductive one. Clouds meant that many cattle would die, and a windy day was said to be the forerunner of war.
In memory of Sts. Paul and Peter, the World Council of Churches sponsors the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins on January 18, the feast of St. Peter's Chair, and ends on January 25.
See also Sts. Peter and Paul Day

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 87
BkDays-1864, vol. I, p. 157
BkFest-1937, p. 52
DaysCustFaith-1957, pp. 30, 155
DictDays-1988, p. 105
DictWrldRel-1989, p. 563
FestSaintDays-1915, p. 22
OxYear-1999, pp. 47, 48
SaintFestCh-1904, p. 80

Celebration day: Jan 25