حنانيا
Ananias, the high priest, presided over Paul's trial and ordered him to be struck on the mouth for his defense.
Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, is celebrated for his obedience in going to the newly blinded Saul of Tarsus following Paul's conversion on the Damascus road, despite knowing Saul's reputation as a persecutor (Acts 9:10–19). When instructed by the Lord in a vision, Ananias overcame his fear, addressed Saul as 'Brother Saul,' laid hands on him, and restored his sight; Saul was then filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized. Ananias is thus the human intermediary who welcomed the greatest persecutor into the church and stands as a model of courageous obedience to divine direction. In Paul's own account of his conversion before the Jerusalem crowd (Acts 22:12–16), he describes Ananias as 'a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there.'