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The Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul

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Our two saints are responsible for the preaching to the Gentiles (Paul) and approving that mission (Peter). Both went to Rome: Paul to preach to the emperor and the Jews of Rome, Peter to establish the foundation of the Church in the capital of what was then the heart of the known world since, for Europeans and Near Easterners, “all roads lead to Rome.”

Peter and other apostles were initially opposed to the Gentile converts being baptized and hands laid on for the Holy Spirit unless they followed the Mosaic laws. Paul went to Jerusalem to plead his case. Peter was converted to this point of view by a vision given to him by God which was followed by the baptism of the Roman centurion Cornelius and all his household (Acts, chapters 9 – 11), and announced the change of his position at the first Council (Acts 11). Peter’s support was needed for the mission to continue, as he was recognized as the leader of the Church. Thus, many icons show the two embracing in reconciliation at this council.

Peter and Paul are considered to be the two pillars of the Church. From radically different backgrounds - Peter a commercial fisherman from Galilee, Paul a well-educated Pharisee and Roman citizen from the colony of Tarsus - they set about to convert the Roman Empire from their base in Jerusalem, and then in Rome itself. Peter overcame his prejudices and proclaimed the gospel to the Gentiles, breaking free of Jewish legalisms. Paul pleaded his case for the Gospel before Emperor Nero himself, who would blame the new Christian Church for the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. It is said Nero had Christians burned alive as human torches in his garden. This is what the ancient Church was up against! But the apostles did not waver in their dedication to preaching the Good News of the Gospel and within 120 years Christianity was the dominant faith in Greece, Asia Minor, Palestine, the Nile Valley, and around Carthage in north Africa.

They were both martyred for the faith in 67 AD; tradition says it was on June 29. Paul was beheaded because he was a Roman citizen and so protected from torture. Peter was crucified, but upside down in response to his protest that he could not die in the same form as Christ had. We know that this feast was celebrated on this day in Rome from catacomb carvings. Ancient tradition said that Peter was buried in the cemetery on Vatican hill, and Paul in what is now Saint Paul Outside the Walls basilica; the famous High Altar and the Confessio are built over his grave. Science has proven the two burial spots to be correct.

In icons, Peter is always shown holding the keys of heaven, given to him by Jesus, along with a scroll representing his two letters. Paul is shown usually with a book, representing his Epistles, and often a sword, since he was beheaded by Nero. Peter of course was crucified upside down, as he said that he was not worthy of dying in the same manner as his Lord. Peter was the first pope-martyr, but not the last.