Transformation of Paul within St. Paul’s Basilica

Saul Present at the 

Martyrdom of Saint Stephen

Conversion of Saul




















Date: (1809-1890)

Artist: Gagliardi Pietro

Location: St. Paul’s Basilica – Rome

Medium: Fresco

Dimensions: 30 x 20 ft

The Miracle: Acts 7 – 9

After Paul’s martyrdom in the 1^st century AD, his faithful followers created a shrine to commemorate him on his good works for the kingdom of God. A church was later built on the site, founded by Emperor Constantine and blessed by him on November 18, 324 (4). Emperor Theodosius in 386 destroyed the church and constructed a grander basilica in the apostle’s honor and was completed by Emperor Honorius in 395. In 1823 a large fire erupted by a careless workman, which resulted in the basilica’s wreckage. The entire world aided in the basilica’s restoration. “The Viceroy of Egypt sent pillars of alabaster, the Emperor of Russia the precious malachite and lapis lazuli of the tabernacle” (4). The basilica now stunningly stands fully re-constructed and has been declared a national monument by the Italian government.

Gorgeous frescos depicting Paul’s transformation from a persecutor of Christians into an apostle for Christ align the top of the walls around the entire basilica. The frescos were created by different artists at various periods in history who felt compelled to translate the miraculous story of Paul. Paul’s conversion is a miracle, which God enacted in order to use the man for the progression of the gospel and Christianity. The Apostle to the Gentiles contributed more than half of the New Testament and has an incredible influence on Christian thought today.

Paul’s miraculous story begins with the painting by Gagliardi Pietro titled Saul present at the martyrdom of Saint Stephen. Before Paul became a Christian he was known as Saul, a persecutor of Christians. 

Acts 7:54-Acts 8:1-3 tell the full story of Stephan’s stoning and Saul's reaction being, neglect and approval. In the painting Stephen lies on the ground gazing up to the heavens ready to face his death and be with his savior. “Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God.” The men around him are aggressively grabbing stones, hurling them, and removing their cloaks. Saul is depicted all in red shamelessly watching the event in approval, while guarding the witnesses’ cloaks. “The witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul…And Saul approved of their killing him.” Later the story discloses that Saul destroyed churches, went from house to house and dragged off men and women, and put them in prison. Before God appeared to Saul and redeemed him, he was a destructive and evil man fighting against God.

The fresco titled Conversion of Saul illustrates Saul’s encounter with Christ on his journey to Damascus. Saul is shown sprawled on the ground stunned and transfixed upon the heavenly light and Christ’s figure floating within the clouds. “He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” His men are distraught by the encounter one hides from the light, another in darkness tries to control his spooked horse, a soldier attempts to shield Saul from the light, and a faithful soldier attempts to aid Saul up from the ground. These soldiers depict ways in which humans respond to God. Some are consumed in their own struggles without knowledge of God, others shield themselves from God and reject his existence, some are enemies of God and try to kill the Gospel, and finally there are men who are willing to hear and aid in the journey, but need someone to witness to them the good news. “The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.” In the fresco, Saul does not have shoes on to convey the holy ground, which he rests upon. Saul rises from the encounter distraught and blind. Christ informs him to travel into Damascus and to patiently pray and await further instructions.

The frescos proceed to tell his transformation process when Annanisa lays hands on Saul Who Receives the Virtues of the Holy Spirit painted by Podesti Francesco (1800-1895), Paul’s Speech to the People of Jerusalem by Grandi Francesco (1831-1891), and finally to The Martydom of Paul by Balbi Pilippo (1806-1890).

Bibliography:

(4) http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-san-paolo-fuori-le-mura

Gioia, Francesco. St. Paul from "Persecutor and Man of Violence" to "Greatest Model of Patience" Rome: Pontifical Administration of the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Paul, 2004. Print.