Saint Gamaliel
Stored in Cargo: Saint Gamaliel
| Saint Gamaliel | |
| Feast Day | August 03 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Teachers, converts |
| Birthplace | Jerusalem, Judea, Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Jerusalem, Judea, Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | None |
Saint Gamaliel (1st century AD) was a Pharisee and teacher, known for mentoring Saint Paul and defending early Christians in Acts. Born in Jerusalem, Judea, he was a respected Sanhedrin member who secretly converted to Christianity, per tradition. Canonized pre-Congregation, he is venerated for his wisdom.[1]
Gamaliel is the patron saint of teachers and converts, with his feast day on 3 August. Honored in Catholic, Orthodox Christianity, and Anglican Communion, he lacks a primary shrine but is revered in Jerusalem churches. His legacy inspires conversion.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Gamaliel was born in the 1st century AD in Jerusalem, Judea, Roman Empire, to a prominent Jewish family.[1] Jerusalem’s religious center shaped his faith. No records detail his parents or exact birthdate.
His scholarship led to Sanhedrin leadership.[3]
Early Life
Gamaliel, a leading Pharisee, taught Jewish law, mentoring Saint Paul (Saul) before his conversion.[4] In Acts 5, around 33 AD, he defended apostles Peter and John, urging tolerance. Tradition claims he secretly converted, baptized by Saint Peter.
His moderation influenced early Christianity.[5]
Occupation
Gamaliel was a Pharisee and teacher.[1] He instructed students in Torah and served in the Sanhedrin, shaping Jewish legal thought. His “occupation” as a Christian involved covert support for the apostles.
His wisdom aided Christian growth.[6]
Vocation
Gamaliel’s religious vocation blended Pharisaic teaching with Christian faith, per tradition.[1] His defense of the apostles around 33 AD and secret baptism defined his calling. He influenced Paul’s later mission, bridging Judaism and Christianity.
His legacy shaped early Church tolerance.[7]
Death
Gamaliel died in the 1st century AD, likely 50 AD, in Jerusalem, from natural causes, aged about 70.[1] He passed surrounded by students, per tradition. His death was mourned locally.
No primary shrine exists, but his cult endures.[8]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Jerusalem, Judea, Roman Empire
Death location: Jerusalem, Judea, Roman Empire
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Gamaliel’s sainthood was recognized early, predating formal processes.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; his Acts role affirmed sanctity. Early traditions documented his conversion.
Devotion grew in Jerusalem.[1]
Venerable
Gamaliel was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] His wisdom affirmed virtue. Early Church ensured his status.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Gamaliel did not undergo beatification, formalized post-12th century.[1] His veneration bypassed such stages. Jerusalem honored him with a feast day by the 4th century.
This aligns with early saints.[3]
Canonization
Gamaliel was canonized pre-Congregation, with no specific date.[1] His feast day of 3 August was set by the 4th century. No miracles were required; his conversion sufficed.
His veneration thrives in Orthodox Christianity.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required, as Gamaliel was not beatified.[1] His sainthood rested on Acts and tradition. No specific miracles were recorded.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[3]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required for Gamaliel’s canonization.[1] His Christian role sufficed. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for early saints.[5]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Gamaliel is the patron saint of teachers and converts.[2] His patronage supports learning.[9]
Feast day
Gamaliel’s feast day is 3 August, celebrated with Masses in Jerusalem, Orthodox Christianity, and Anglican Communion.[1] Local devotions mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Gamaliel is venerated through Masses, novenas, and Jerusalem devotions.[2] Converts seek his intercession. No primary shrine exists, but churches honor him.
Depicted with a scroll, his wisdom, noted in X posts, inspires faith.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in Acts.[3]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Gamaliel". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gamaliel/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Gamaliel". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2253. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Gamaliel". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06374b.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Gamaliel". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Gamaliel. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Gamaliel". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-gamaliel/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Gamaliel". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-gamaliel-599. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fr. David Cohen. "Early Christian Jerusalem". Patriarchate of Jerusalem. https://www.jerusalemdiocese.org/early-christians. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "St. Gamaliel". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/08/03/101902-saint-gamaliel. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Gamaliel". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-gamaliel. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Gamaliel, Teacher and Convert". CatholicSaints via X. 3 August 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/gamaliel2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.