Paulinus of Antioch

Saint Paulinus of Antioch was born in the ancient city of Antioch, where, according to holy tradition, he encountered the Apostle Peter and was converted to Christ. Strengthened by this meeting and sent forth by Peter himself, Paulinus journeyed to Lucca to proclaim the Gospel. There he is remembered as the city’s first bishop, laying the foundations of the local Church through preaching, pastoral care, and steadfast witness to the new life found in Jesus. In the year 67, during the early persecutions of Christians, Paulinus suffered martyrdom for the faith. Tradition recalls that he did not die alone: a priest, a deacon, and a soldier—companions whose names have been lost to time—shared in his sacrifice, offering their lives as a testimony that Christ is worth everything. Venerated in both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, Saint Paulinus is honored as a patron of Lucca, a shepherd who sealed his mission with blood. His feast day is celebrated on July 12.