Christianity entered Tarsus very early. First selectors of Christianity are long-established persons from Jewry. Saint Paulus is known as an Hebrew named as Saul in his life’s first terms. He was born in 10 İS. The years in which his family lives in Tarsus are the years in which a new social and economical restructuring was making and people not from Rome were being granted Rome nation in the city. Family of Paules got Rome nation by this way. Saul name which is the first king of Jewry was given to Paulus after he was circumcised. Apostle took Paulus name after he got Rome nation. In that time, two names- one was in the Hebrew language, other one was in the Latin were common within Jewry.

Paulus’s father who was manufacturer of tent, taught his son this job. Furthermore Paulus continued to his job when he got around to it. Cilicia was famous with a woven made from goat hair named as “Cilicium” which was used to producing tents and military clothes. By producing this, people living in the region got a lot of income. Migratory Turkmen in Tarsus (Yuruks) have been still producing goat hair woven.

Saint Paulus Well

Once upon a time, place where Saint Paulus lives is now located within borders of Kızılmurat Parish of Tarsus containing old houses. Wellhole in original yard of the house is places where Christians were drinking water before they had gone to Jerusalem for pilgrimage. Depth of this wellhole is 38 meters. Saint Paulus wellhole whose water never decreases in both winter and summer is a showplace.

Paulus, Enemy of Christians

Paulus who was sent to Jerusalem by his family for education, took training from Gamaliel and authorized in Holy Rule (Moses Tradition) which has a special place in Jewish tradition, and gained affections of persons in high positions. However, in that time, in Jerusalem where there were high chaos, many argumentations and oppositions against the Christians were following each other. First “Teachers” healed and saved inoffensive people, so they could quickly find propones.

However, look at the game of fortune, Paulus in that period, was nightmare of all people living in the region. He dispelled church people and was one of the commissioned persons who entered suddenly to the houses and captured peoples.

Godsend in Damascus way

Commissioning Paulus to bring Christians of Damascus to Jerusalem is a turning point for his life. According to celestial stories, during his travel, a sound coming from the sky suddenly brightened him and he suddenly felt down. He heard a godlike sound “Hey Saulus… Why are you harrowing me?” Hereupon, Saulus asks “Who are you sir?” And owner of the sound says “I am the Messiah, the man whom you harrow is me.” Paulus who was having the shivers says “What do you want me to do sir?” and the sound says “Stand up and go to the city; the command will be given to you what you must to do there”. Paulus arose under eyes of the men who were together with him and later went to Damascus.

Upon this event, Paulus whose all life and belief changed radically started to live his new religion together with the apostles in Christ’s way. However hereupon, he was under violence and attacks of Jews. The apostles heard that Paulus would be killed in Damascus and therefore they put him in a basket and gave him down wall of the fortress, and help him to escape. Paulus who went back Jerusalem with a new identity started to propagate doctrines of Jesus there. Reactions against him forced him to turn to Tarsus.

In those days, Christians in Jerusalem began to act to propagate the new religious to all people. Barnabas who is an esteemed person of the Church comes to Tarsus to take help of Paulus and took him to Antiokheia.

Propagation Works for Christianity

Liberal environment in Antiokheia richness of church members allowed needed media for propagating Christianity significantly. During one year when Paulus and Barnabas stayed in Antiokheia, a new congregation who believed this new religion in the city and member of this group takes Christian title on the earth.

First mission of Paulus who set out to establish new churches, was directed to the cities in Anatolian. He, together with Barnabas, passed from Cyprus, Attaleia, Perge, Pisidia Antiokheia, Ikonium, Lystra, and Derbe. This travels are reason of first churches of Christianity are in Anatolia. Following these travels, adventures of Paulus continued in Macedonia, Greece, and Rome.

Anger of Jewry against Paulus grows up

When Paulus started to turning travel to Jerusalem, a very big rebellion was risen by the bristly Jewry in this city. Paulus who reached to Jerusalem was taken to interrogation by peoples who wanted Paulus to be killed. Upon frenzy of the people decision was taken for Paulus to be flagellated. Person questioning him was afraid because he was a citizen of Rome. When members of the committee who were effected from his effective sentences indulged him, the people again rose rebellion. Paulus with soldier escort took refuge with king Caeserea and stayed his palace during two years. However members of the committee still wanted to catch and kill him. When Paulus wanted to be judged in Rome, a new travel started. The vessel that was going to Italia by visiting various ports in the Mediterranean, floated for days because of a big storm. Paulus and others in the vessel scarcely reached to Malta island. After they stayed there for three months, they reached to Rome. Paulus could continue to his missioner activities during two years when he stayed in Rome.

Unknown End

Information about Paulus’s further life is suspicious. According to an archaic author, Paulus released after he stayed under arrest for two years; but he was arrested and killed with Petrus who was founding father of the church on the year of 67.