St Peter, the leader of the Apostles, was martyred in Rome in around 64 AD.  Originally he was called Simon, but Jesus gave him the Aramaic title Kepha, meaning ‘Rock’ (John 1:42).  The Greek equivalent of this is ‘Peter’ in English. (1) According to tradition Peter asked to be crucified with his head downwards as he believed he was not worthy to suffer in the same way as his Lord and Master. (2)

St Paul was also martyred in Rome.  He was beheaded because his dignity as a Roman citizen did not permit crucifixion.  For centuries the Church has marked a joint feast day for St Peter and St Paul on 29 June. (3) The liturgical colour is red symbolising the blood of martyrs.

Images of St Peter in the catacombs, whether painted or worked in mosaic or engraved in silver or bronze, all show a full, strong face, with curly hair and a short beard.  St Paul is depicted as having a thin face, with a long pointed beard and a slightly bald head. (4)

References

1. Attwater, D. (1965) The Penguin Dictionary of the Saints, Harmondsworth: Penguin Books.

2. Butler, A. (1936) (edited by Kelly, B.) The lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints Vol II, London, Dublin and Belfast: Virtue and Company Limited.

3. Butler, A. (1936) The lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints Vol II, London, Dublin and Belfast: Virtue and Company Limited.

4. Henderson, A. (1920) The lesson of the catacombs, London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

Short talk

A short talk entitled St Peter's Chains is now available in this section of the Holy Faith website. See also Simon Peter in the series Major Passion Characters.

St Peter (to the tune Bunessan - 'Morning has broken')

This hymn was written with children and young people in mind.

1. Thanks for our Patron, thanks for Saint Peter,
called by the Lakeside, followed you Lord;
shared in your work of teaching and healing,
first to proclaim you, Christ the adored.

2. During your Passion, Peter lost courage:
three times denied he knew his dear Lord.
Wept tears of sorrow, all was forgiven:
Peter the Rock was healed and restored.

3. On Easter Day he found your tomb empty;
later he met you, raised from the dead.
Chief of Apostles, bold in the Spirit,
built up your Church and saw your flock fed.

4. Captured by Herod, chained and in prison,
guards at his side and guards at the door;
then came an angel, led him to safety.
Peter was free, a prisoner no more.

5. Praise to you Lord for Peter our Patron;
he died a martyr, brave to the end.
Help us to serve you, living Lord Jesus;
you are our Saviour, Master and Friend.

(Stella Pendleton, 2012)

St Peter and St Paul (to the tune Bunessan - 'Morning has broken')

This hymn has been written for an all-age Eucharist at the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, West Wittering, England.

1. Thanks for our Patrons, thanks for Saint Peter,
called by the Lakeside, followed you Lord;
shared in your work of teaching and healing,
first to proclaim you, Christ the adored.

2. During your Passion, Peter lost courage:
three times denied he knew his dear Lord.
Wept tears of sorrow, all was forgiven:
Peter the Rock was healed and restored.

3. On Easter Day he found your tomb empty;
later he met you, raised from the dead.
Chief of Apostles, bold in the Spirit,
built up your Church and saw your flock fed.

4. Captured by Herod, chained and in prison,
guards at his side and guards at the door;
then came an angel, led him to safety.
Peter was free, a prisoner no more.

5. Thanks for our Patrons, thank you for Saint Paul;
once fought against you, hated your Name.
Called on the dusty road to Damascus,
past put behind him, past was his shame.

6. Many the journeys, many the dangers:
shipwrecks and robbers, hunger and thirst;
teaching the Gospel, writing his letters,
serving you, Jesus, always came first.

7. Praise to you Lord for Paul and for Peter;
both died as martyrs, brave to the end.
Help us to serve you, living Lord Jesus;
you are our Saviour, Master and Friend.

(Stella Pendleton, West Wittering Patronal Festival, 2012)