Paul of Aleppo

Years of birth and death unknown. Church leader of the mid-17th century; archdeacon; author of notes on a journey to Russia from 1654 to 1656.

Paul was born in Aleppo (now the city of Halab, Syria). He accompanied his father, Makarios, the patriarch of Antioch, on a journey to Russia by way of Turkey, Bulgaria, Moldavia, and the Ukraine. Most of Paul of Aleppo’s work is devoted to a description of nature and the mores and customs of the peoples of Russia during the mid-17th century. It includes information about political events and a description of monasteries, churches, and secular and church ceremonies. Paul of Aleppo’s notes constitute a valuable source for the history of Russia, the Ukraine, and Moldavia of the mid-17th century.