He was elected Patriarch of Constantinople after the repose of Blessed Alexander. But this was not right for the Arian heretics, nor for Emperor Constantius, and Patriarch Paul was soon forced to flee to Rome, together with Saint Athanasius the Great. In Rome, Pope Julius and Emperor Constans received them well and supported them in their Orthodox faith. According to a letter from Emperor Constans and the pope, Paul was restored to the patriarchal throne. But when Emperor Constans died, the Arians exiled him to Kukus, in Armenia. And there, while he was once serving the Holy Liturgy, the Arians attacked him and strangled him with an omophorion. This was in the year 351. During the reign of Emperor Theodosius, in 381, his relics were transferred to Constantinople, and in 1236 to Venice, where they remain today.

Venerable Varlaam of Khutyn the Wonderworker. Commemoration of the Fall of Ashes from the Air.