St. Paul and Companions

Paul and his thirty-six companions were Christian soldiers of the Roman Army stationed in Egypt at an unknown date sometime during the Roman Empire's occupation of the country. Paul proposed to his fellow soldiers that they should form themselves into a confraternity to evangelize those in Egypt who were not yet Christian. Taking Paul as their leader in this endeavor, the men all agreed to participate. They divided themselves into four bands in the hope of canvassing the whole country with the Gospel. Paul and nine companions headed east. A second contingent with nine men went north, a third band of nine traveled south, and a fourth group of nine headed west. Upon learning of this endeavor from an informer, the pagan governor of Egypt commanded the arrest of all the soldiers involved. They were brought to Alexandria, where the governor, upon seeing them, ordered their immediate execution. The contingent of men that Paul had led eastward together with those sent south were put to death by fire. Those of the northern band were beheaded, while those of the western contingent were crucified.