Passion of Paul

The Passion of Paul is a later Latin version of the Martyrdom of Paul, which was part of a larger apocryphal collection called the Acts of Paul. The story tells how Paul brought Patroclus back to life. Patroclus was the cupbearer (servant who poured wine) of Emperor Nero. Patroclus had fallen from a window and died while listening to one of Paul’s sermons. After he came back to life, Patroclus declared his new faith in Christ before Nero, who was astonished.

Nero then ordered his soldiers to arrest all the "soldiers of the great king (Christ)," including Paul. The Passion of Paul adds a new detail about the philosopher Seneca, who was said to admire Paul and to have read Paul’s writings to Nero.

As Paul was being led to his execution, he borrowed a handkerchief from a woman named Plautilla and promised to return it. After Paul’s death, Plautilla showed the soldiers the handkerchief stained with his blood, proving that he had kept his promise.

See also Apocrypha; Paul, the Apostle.