The Story of SAINTS PETER AND PAUL || Feast Day : June 29
Church tradition has always celebrated St Peter and St Paul on the same day. In a sermon in 395 AD, St Augustine of Hippo stated:
“Both apostles share the same feast day, for these two were one; and even though they suffered on different days, they were as one. Peter went first, and Paul followed. And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood. Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.”
These two men are phenomenal examples of sinful men who changed their lives for Christ. Even when following Christ, Peter showed fear and doubt, but he would always remain Christ’s rock.
And Paul’s conversion story and subsequent teachings show the true power of God. These men were not without flaws, but their faith and their love of Christ serve as the perfect example for how we should live our lives today.
St Peter was one of Jesus’ chosen 12 disciples. Brother to St Andrew, Peter became the leader of the Apostles and the Catholic Church’s first pope. A fisherman by trade, Peter was called by Christ to be a “fisher of men.” Peter spent three years in the company of Christ, ministering to people, learning, and witnessing His miracles.
After Christ died, Peter spent the rest of his life teaching about Him. Any fear he felt when he denied Christ was wiped away after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit breathed on the Apostles, giving them the courage they needed to go out into the world and teach.
In 64 AD, Peter was arrested and crucified upside-down. He requested this position because he did not feel himself worthy of the same kind of crucifixion as Christ.
St Paul was born a Jewish pharisee named Saul. He feared the teachings of Christ so much that he relentlessly persecuted Christians. One day, on his way to Damascus, a blinding light knocked Saul off his horse and blinded him.
A voice cried out, “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” When Saul asked who he was, the voice responded: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul converted and changed his name to Paul.
He spent the rest of his life traveling, teaching the good news of Christ, establishing churches, and writing letters explaining the faith. In AD 67, he was arrested and beheaded for refusing to deny Christ.
St Peter is the patron of fishermen, net makers, and ship builders, while St Paul is the patron of authors, the press, publishers, and writers.
You can pray through their intercession for anything, but especially for guidance in following Christ’s teachings, for help in leading someone to the faith, or for courage when faced with opposition.
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