Who is St. Paul of Thebes?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

St. Paul of Thebes, also known as Anba Bula or St. Paul the Anchorite, is recognized by the Coptic Orthodox Church as the first hermit. His life is the ultimate example of the "homeless" or "broken clothing" aesthetic.

His Iconography and "Broken Clothing"

In Coptic icons, St. Paul of Thebes is almost always depicted in a very specific way:

• The Palm Leaf Tunic: He is shown wearing a garment made of woven palm leaves. According to tradition, his earthly clothes wore out shortly after he entered the desert at age 16. For the remainder of his life—until he died at the age of 113—he wore this handmade tunic.
• The Raven: He is often shown with a raven nearby, which brought him half a loaf of bread every day (and a whole loaf when St. Anthony visited him).
• The Two Lions: Icons frequently depict two lions at his feet. These lions, according to the account of St. Anthony, helped dig St. Paul’s grave when he passed away.

Historical and Theological Context

According to our history, St. Paul was born in Alexandria around the year 228. During the persecution of Decius, he fled to the Eastern Desert to protect his faith and avoid a family dispute over an inheritance.

• The Meeting with St. Anthony: When St. Anthony the Great (the Father of Monasticism) visited him, St. Paul was already over 100 years old. St. Anthony was amazed to find a man who had lived in total seclusion and prayer for decades.
• The Tunic of Palm Leaves: Before St. Paul departed to heaven in the year 343, he gave his palm-leaf tunic to St. Anthony. St. Anthony cherished this "broken" and humble garment so much that he would only wear it twice a year: on the Feast of the Resurrection and on Pentecost.

The Monastery of Saint Paul

The monastery built in his name in the Eastern Desert (near the Red Sea) stands as a testament to his life.

• The Cave Church of St. Paul contains his tomb. The inscriptions and history indicate he fled into the desert at a young age and dwelt in a cave where a palm tree grew.
• The icons in this monastery, including those in the room on the west side, feature St. Paul alongside St. Anthony, emphasizing their spiritual brotherhood.

While the world might see a man in a "broken" palm-leaf tunic as a homeless wanderer, the Coptic Church honors him as the "First of the Anchorites," who exchanged the temporary comforts of Alexandria for the eternal glory of Christ.