Saint Peter
Saint Peter the Apostle (born c. 1 BC in Bethsaida, Galilee; died c. 64–68 AD in Rome, Italy) was the leader of the Twelve Apostles, the first Pope of the Catholic Church, and the "rock" (Greek: Petros; Aramaic: Cephas) upon whom Christ declared He would build His Church (Matthew 16:18). A Galilean fisherman called by Jesus to be a "fisher of men," he became the primary eyewitness to Jesus's ministry, the chief spokesman for the Apostles, the first to proclaim the Resurrection, and the first leader of the Jerusalem church. He was crucified upside-down in Rome under Emperor Nero. His feast days are June 29 (with Paul) and February 22 (the Chair of Peter).
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| Saint Peter | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | June 29 |
| Profession | Fisherman; Apostle; first Pope (bishop of Rome); leader of the Twelve; martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox Church; Anglican Church; all Christianity; first bishop of Rome; leader of the Apostolic College; the papacy |
| Patronage | The papacy; the Catholic Church; Rome; fishermen; net-makers; cobblers; locksmiths (from the keys); those who have denied their faith and sought reconciliation; universal patronage |
| Attributes | Two keys (the keys of the kingdom, silver and gold); fishing net; upside-down cross (his martyrdom); rooster (Peter's denial); the Book of the Gospels; white or silver hair (as depicted in tradition); the tiara (as first pope); Rome and the Vatican |
| Birthplace | Bethsaida, Galilee (modern Israel/Golan Heights) |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy (the Vatican Hill) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; crucified upside-down on the Vatican Hill in Rome, c. 64–68 AD, during the Neronian persecution; he requested to be crucified upside-down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ; the specific date is uncertain; tradition places his death near the time of Paul's martyrdom under Nero |
| Primary Shrine | St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City — the greatest basilica in Christendom; built over his tomb on the Vatican Hill; his bones in the Confessio beneath the high altar; Bernini's baldachin and colonnade; Michelangelo's dome; the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world; visited by tens of millions annually |
| Liturgical Class | Solemnity (Roman Rite); June 29 (with Saint Paul); February 22 (Chair of Peter, Feast) |
| Historic Class | Double of the First Class; June 29 |
Biography
Peter was born in Bethsaida, Galilee, as Simon son of Jonah. He was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee with his brother Andrew. Jesus called them with the words "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19) and gave Simon the name Peter (Cephas in Aramaic, Petros in Greek — "Rock").
Peter became the leader and spokesman of the Twelve Apostles. At Caesarea Philippi, when Jesus asked "Who do you say I am?", Peter replied: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Jesus declared: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church... I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:18–19).
During the Passion he denied Christ three times. After the Resurrection the risen Christ appeared first to him (1 Corinthians 15:5) and commissioned him three times: "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15–17). He led the Jerusalem church, preached at Pentecost, performed miracles, opened the mission to the Gentiles (the conversion of Cornelius, Acts 10), and took part in the Jerusalem Council.
He eventually went to Rome, where he was crucified upside-down under Emperor Nero, c. 64–68 AD. He requested the inverted position as an act of humility before his Lord.
His tomb on the Vatican Hill, authenticated by 20th-century archaeological excavations, lies beneath the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica.
Significant locations
Legend
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Media
Shrines
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Known shrines
- St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City — his tomb beneath the high altar; the greatest pilgrimage site of the Catholic Church.
- San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome — his chains venerated; pilgrimage site.
- Peter's House, Capernaum, Israel — archaeological site of his home; now under an octagonal church.
Feast day
June 29 (with Saint Paul); February 22 (Chair of Peter)
Veneration
Saint Peter the Apostle is the first Pope and the "rock" upon which Christ declared He would build His Church. He is the patron of the papacy, of fishermen, and of Rome. His tomb beneath St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world.
Prayers
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