My Dearest Paul,
I have loved, respected, and admired you for many years. But ever since I visited your desert home, I have felt such a closeness with you that I feel like I need to apologize for being so presumptuous. But the truth is that I sense such a sincere brotherly affection emanating from you that I experience a real warmth which brings out of me a simple joy. In other words, you make me smile.
Today, I just wanted you to know that I am so deeply grateful to God that He brought me to you, and that you are willing to look after me almost 1,600 years after your earthly death.
Please keep praying for me and showing me the path.
Your loving brother,
Fr. Thomas
"By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / O our holy father Paul, pray to Christ our God to save our souls" (Troparion Tone 8).
A Coptic Christian icon of St. Anthony the Great (left) and St. Paul the Simple who is commemorated on March 7 and October 4.
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