Peter and Paul Day: the true story of the First Apostles
The Day of the Apostles Peter and Paul is celebrated in the Russian Orthodox Church on July 12. The Christian holiday is dedicated to the memory of the disciples of Jesus Christ, who became the foremost preachers of the faith. According to church tradition, they were martyred on the same day — June 29 in the old style or July 12 in the new style. The celebration of Peter and Paul Day is accompanied by fasting. About the lives of the saints, symbolizing two different paths to faith, in the material of Izvestia.
The Lives of the Apostles Peter and Paul: who they were, what they are known for, and how they died
The Apostle Peter was the closest disciple of Jesus Christ, and Catholics consider him the first pope of Rome. It is believed that Peter witnessed many important events in Christianity, which are described in the Gospel. Among them is the Transfiguration of the Lord on Mount Tabor, when Jesus appeared to his disciples in a divine form. After the Resurrection of the Savior, Peter actively preached and spread Christian teaching throughout the world.
Jesus Christ called Peter, who was called Simon before the adoption of Christianity, and his brother Andrew when they were fishing in the Sea of Galilee. The Savior addressed them with the following words: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
The name Peter is the Greek version, in Aramaic it sounds like Kifa, which means "stone". Peter was supposed to be the rock on which the Church would be built. The life and ministry of the Apostle Peter, including the miracles he performed, are described in detail in the New Testament.
The arrest of the Son of God became a test for Peter and the other apostles. Despite his devotion, as soon as the rooster crowed, Peter denied Jesus Christ three times, but then repented and was forgiven. After the ascension of the Savior, Peter became the head of the apostles and preached the gospel in various countries. His life ended in martyrdom — he was crucified upside down in Rome. His brother Andrei was also executed, crucified on an oblique cross.
While Peter followed Jesus Christ, the Jew and Pharisee Saul, who was destined to become the apostle Paul, persecuted believers in Jesus before converting to Christianity, because he equated them with heretics.
Paul is the only one who is not among the 12 apostles, nor among the 70 apostles chosen by Jesus. He came to believe after the death of the Savior, and his path to Christianity is described in the book "Acts of the Apostles." On the way to Damascus, where the Jew was supposed to arrest Christians, Jesus appeared to him and asked the future Paul: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" A bright light blinded Saul, and he lost his sight, but through the prayer of the Christian Ananias, he was able to see again. Saul was so impressed by the miracle that he believed in the Son of God and was baptized, receiving the name Paul.
Paul is also called the apostle of the Gentiles, because it was among them that he happened to preach. For his faith, he was beheaded in Rome.
How Peter and Paul became the main disciples of Jesus Christ
The Apostle Peter is considered not only the first called by Jesus Christ and one of his closest disciples, who later received the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, but also the creator of the main profession of faith.: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." This is the answer Peter gave when Jesus asked the apostles who they thought He was.
Statue of the Apostle Peter at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City
Paul became the author of the moral dogmas of the Christian Church's teaching, explaining complex theological issues. Most of the New Testament, including the epistles, were written by him, and he founded many churches in the Roman Empire.
Why are Peter and Paul called the first-born
The Apostles Peter and Paul are often called the first-born, despite the fact that one of them has never seen the Savior. This status does not diminish the contribution of the other apostles. The fact is that the exploits of Peter and Paul are most described in the book "Acts of the Apostles", which made them significant and revered as those who made efforts to spread the Christian faith.
The Council of the Glorious and All—Laudable 12 Apostles is celebrated immediately after Peter and Paul Day on July 13.
How and where are Peter and Paul described in the Gospel
The gospel often portrays Peter as the chief among the apostles, taking the Savior's path to heart. He witnessed many key events in Jesus' life, including the Transfiguration, the Last Supper, his arrest, and the crucifixion.
Mosaic depicting the Apostle Peter in the interior of St. Isaac's Cathedral
Paul's missionary travels, sermons, and writings are described only in the book of Acts. The Gospel does not mention him, because Paul did not witness the Savior's earthly life.
Peter and Paul on icons
The Apostle Peter with the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and the Apostle Paul with a book or scroll are depicted together in Orthodox iconography, as they are a symbol of the unity of the Church and the two pillars of faith. However, they can also be represented on individual icons.
Often the Apostles Peter and Paul, dressed in traditional chiton and himation, are facing each other or looking at the icon. Icon painters can depict them in different ways - standing or sitting, walking or praying.
Theologians, preachers and teachers turn to Paul, and fishermen and sailors, whose patron he is, turn to Peter.
The spiritual meaning of the feast of Peter and Paul on July 12
The feast of Peter and Paul in Orthodoxy symbolizes the transfiguration of the spirit, the strengthening of faith and selfless service, it is celebrated immediately after the end of Peter's fast. This day celebrates the unceasing service of Peter and Paul to the Christian Church, whose pillars they both eventually became.
But the holiday also reminds of repentance and forgiveness. The Apostle Peter, who showed weakness and renounced Christ, and later repented, and the Apostle Paul, who was first a persecutor and then believed in Christ, are images of spiritual firmness in a single cause, designed to be a guide for believers.
On the feast of Peter and Paul, believers attend the liturgy in churches and in prayer appeal to the saints to strengthen the spirit, heal diseases and help.
The most famous temples in honor of Peter and Paul in Russia
In Russia, many churches have been erected in honor of Peter and Paul. The most famous is Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg, the tomb of the Russian emperors and an architectural monument of the Peter the Great Baroque. Many historical figures also visited the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kazan, which also dates back to the Peter the Great era. In addition, St. Peter and Paul Lutheran Church (Petrikirche) operates in St. Petersburg, where services are conducted in German and Russian.
The Church of Peter and Paul in the village of Petropavlovsk in the Muromtsevsky municipal district of the Omsk region
However, there are other churches — the Moscow Church of Peter and Paul in Lefortovo, the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Yasenevo, the Church of Peter and Paul in Polevskoye, Sverdlovsk region, and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Sestroretsk, as well as the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Peterhof.
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