The Church Celebrates Its Founders Saints Peter and Paul
“… Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18)
Report by Elia Nasrallah
Translation by Mary Yahchouchy
The commemoration of Saints Peter and Paul is a special date in the history of the Church and the consolidation of Christianity over the decades. The Orthodox and Catholic Churches celebrate their commemoration on June 29 of each year, and believers ask for their intercession to Christ to grant peace to the world and mercy to our souls.
They were given many titles: Leaders of the apostles, founders of the Church, first in line for the apostolate sees, and teachers of the world... Peter was the first to admit that Jesus is the Son of the living God according to the Gospel of Matthew 16:16. He then denied Christ three times and repented, so the Lord forgave him accordingly. Paul’s name was Saul. The Lord appeared to him on his way to Damascus, where he wanted to kill Christians... He took Paul's name after his baptism at the hands of Jesus to convert and preach the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
What are the characteristics of the apostles Saints Peter and Paul?
Traditionally, St. Peter is called the leader of the twelve apostles, especially since he was one of the closest to Christ during his preaching on earth. After the death of Christ, Peter persevered the inheritance that the Lord handed over to his disciples. During his preaching journeys, he established the Church of Antioch, where the disciples were called Christians first. Therefore, the Antiochian Patriarch is today considered the successor of the Apostle in this see.
St. Paul is considered one of the most prominent preachers, as his greatness was known through the story of his amazing conversion on the Damascus Road (Luke 9:1-22), a journey of great importance to the life he spent in continuous preaching. The New Testament carries an important share of his missionary tours and the messages he wrote to the churches he founded, especially in the Roman world with the aim of preaching Christ, spreading Christian faith and consolidating it among people. He called himself an apostle and was distinguished by his sermons, according to many references, even when he wasn’t among the twelve disciples.
Why do we celebrate them on June 29?
According to historical stories, June 29 is not the date of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul, but rather a Roman celebration of two men: Romulus and Remus, the "legendary founders" of the Eternal City, Rome. Saints Peter and Paul are considered "the pillars of the Church" and "the fathers of Rome" through word and blood, preaching and martyrdom.
It is said that the Church set the commemoration of Saints Peter and Paul on this date to push people to forget the founders of Rome, in 753 BC, during the pagan era, the two brothers Romulus and Remus by commemorating Saints Peter and Paul, the founders of Rome in the Christian period era instead.
Why are they celebrated on the same day?
The commemoration of Saints Peter and Paul is considered a prominent event in the Church, especially for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East. The Church celebrates them on one day, unlike most saints who are assigned a specific day each throughout the year.
What unites these two saints is their great haste, their zeal, and their long-suffering in enduring the hardships and obstacles that prevent them from preaching the good news and spreading the Holy Word. They are distinguished by their great love for each other and their martyrdom for their faith. The Church celebrates them on one day, and prayers are held to glorify their greatness.
Saints Peter and Paul are also very different. The first was a Roman Jew of a high-ranking family with a great culture, especially in Sharia, while the second was a simple Jew from a humble family and a semi-illiterate fisherman.
Are there icons of Saints Peter and Paul?
Many icons were written to represent the greatness of Saints Peter and Paul. In one of them, Peter appears from the left, in one hand holding the key to heaven and his famous message, and in the other hand an anthropomorphic figure of the Church. On the right, St. Paul the Apostle stands in a traditional dress and with hair symbolizing that he is a Pharisee, as he says about himself, and an uncovered forehead indicating the wisdom of philosophy. In one hand he carries the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, which he preached throughout the world, and in the other hand he supports the Church.
The Church here represents the Church of the New Testament the Lord wanted to build on the rock of the orthodox faith. It is Byzantine, with a dome touching the sky, three windows in reference to the Holy Trinity, two windows expressing the human and divine natures of Christ, and three doors with connotations from the Orthodox Church.
In another icon of Saints Peter and Paul, we find them embracing, Peter on the right and Paul on the left, in reference to the embrace of Christ and the embrace of love. Their eyes do not meet because they are directed towards the Lord Jesus Christ, the center of their lives. Above their heads are two haloes decorated with roses and vine branches, and their names are written in burgundy in the background of the icon.
After a journey of faith, love and preaching, Saints Peter and Paul were martyred during the reign of Emperor Nero, who had burned Rome and accused Christians of the crime in order to find an excuse to prosecute them, kill them and exterminate them. These two saints were among the martyrs of the Church. Peter was crucified beheaded, and Paul was executed by the edge of the sword.
Communication and Public Relations Department
Abouna website: https://bit.ly/3dmGs5h
Al Youm Al Sabe’ website: https://bit.ly/3ActMb2
The Orthodox Icon website: https://bit.ly/3jp4QqU
Antiochian Orthodox Parish Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3job4aD
Saint Charbel - Faraya Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3h3uoIL