Saul of Tarsus in the Island of Melite

The Acts of the Apostles written by the physician evangelist Lucas of Antioch describe the shipwreck of the grain ship carrying Saul of tarsus to Rome on the Island of Melite. This event has led to the Maltese Islands to develop a strong Pauline tradition with background folklorist elements relating to cure and immunity from poisons. The present publication reviews the story of the fourth voyage of Saul of Tarsus and his faithful companion physician Lucas of Antioch as described in the Acts of the Apostles to relate the described facts in the text with the folklore beliefs prevalent on the Maltese Archipelago and repeatedly documented since the Medieval period.