Paul was Taught and Baptized at Ananias House, Damascus

Ananias House (a.k.a. Chapel of Saint Ananias, and Hanania Church), is located in Damascus, Syria. It is near the east Old City wall and about 500 feet/153 meters north of the “Street Called Straight” (Acts 9:11). It belongs to the Syriac Maronite Church and is traditionally the remains of the house of Ananias. Archeological excavations (in 1921) discovered remains of an earlier Byzantine church (5th or 6th century AD). All that remains of the house of Ananias is a below ground crypt.

On the road to Damascus Saul saw a vision of the Lord Jesus Christ and was struck blind. He was led the rest of the way to Damascus. A short while after arriving in Damascus the Lord sent a Christian to Saul (Paul’s birth name):

“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.” Acts 9:10-12 (see also Acts 22 where Paul recounts his entire conversion story).

“Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.” Acts 9:17-19.

After Paul spent several days in Damascus preaching Jesus Christ, those who opposed him plotted to kill him. Paul was let down from the city walls in a basket at night and escaped.

Tradition holds that while in Damascus, Saul lived with Ananias being taught by him. According to tradition, Saul was also baptized at the Ananias house.