Paul Asen
- Title
- Prince
- Lived
- ~1310–?
Biography
Paul Asen was a monk — a descendant of Tsar Ivan Asen III (John III Asen), as Gregory Palamas expressly testifies. Born between 1310 and 1320, he belonged to the second generation of the Byzantine Asens; his secular name is unknown, since he took the name Paul on entering the monastery.
He is known solely from his dealings with Gregory Palamas: around 1343 he asked the famous hesychast (then in disgrace) for a written statement of his views on Gregory Akindynos. In reply Palamas composed a lengthy epistle-treatise that gained great popularity.