Paul II or Paul the Black of Alexandria was the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch

Patriarch of Antioch

Patriarch of Antioch is a traditional title held by the Bishop of Antioch. As the traditional "overseer" of the first gentile Christian community, the position has been of prime importance in the church from its earliest period...

 during 550—575. He became a monk at the Outer Monastery of Gubba Baraya. He studied the literatures of both the Greek

Greek language

Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...

 and the Syriac languages. He later became a secretary to the Patriarch Theodosius I of Alexandria

Patriarch Theodosius I of Alexandria

Pope Theodosius I of Alexandria was the last Patriarch of Alexandria recognised by both Copts and Melchites.As successor to Timothy III , he was at first recognized by the Emperor Justinian I and the Eastern Orthodox Church...

. He was deposed around 575 for his involvement with Melkite

Melkite

The term Melkite, also written Melchite, refers to various Byzantine Rite Christian churches and their members originating in the Middle East. The word comes from the Syriac word malkāyā , and the Arabic word Malakī...

s. He is believed to have died in the year of 581.