There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” ―Acts 9:10
The story of Ananias actually begins with Saul (also known as Paul). Before Saul became a fervent evangelizer of Christianity, he seethed with contempt toward any follower of Christ. After persecuting countless Christians in Jerusalem, he set out for Damascus (capital of modern Syria), a city about 160 miles away, hoping to extinguish any traces of Christianity there as well. On his way, a brilliant light flashed about him, blinding him and causing him to fall from his horse. Then the voice of Jesus spoke in clear words to Saul, challenging his ferocious mission. The stunned and sightless Saul had to be led the rest of the way to Damascus, where for three days he could not see and refrained from all food and drink.
Meanwhile, living in Damascus was Ananias, a faith-filled disciple. The Lord spoke to Ananias as well, telling him the whereabouts of the home where Saul was staying. The Lord asked Ananias to go there and lay his hands upon Saul so he could regain his sight. Ananias was shocked over this request because he knew of how viciously Saul treated Christians. The Lord reassured the apprehensive Ananias, insisting that Saul was soon to become a great tool for the Lord―that he was to advocate Christianity in a powerful way. So, Ananias proceeded to the home and placed his hands upon Saul. Immediately, Saul’s sight was restored, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. From then on, Saul vehemently supported all that Christ stood for.
It is believed by many that Ananias was a leader of the Church in Damascus and allowed his home to be used for worship. Some sources assert that he moved onto Eleutheropolis and was martyred while evangelizing there. The road where the home in which Ananias went to heal Paul―“the street called Straight”―can still be found in Damascus and is a place of pilgrimage. Christian pilgrims can also find in present-day Damascus a chapel that is believed to be at the site where Ananias’s home once stood.
