VATICAN 28 June 2008 Christians mark second millennium of St Paul 

Christian denominations come together to celebrate the second millenium of St. Paul, beginning June 28. Referred to as the Pauline Year, it ends on the saint's feast day on 29 June 2009. Many adherents plan to retrace his final journey to Rome as part of the celebration. Roman Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians have agreed to participate in the programs.

Peripatetic St. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, was converted from Judaism on the road to Damascus. His evangelization quest before he was beheaded in 67 AD took in scores of countries in Asia Minor, Arabia and present-day Europe. St. Paul's epistles are said to show him as a profound religious thinker with an enduring formative influence in the development of Christianity.

Pope John Paul II says the writings of St. Paul are critical for understanding for all Christian traditions.