Sts. Peter & Paul Parish

The Life Story of St. Peter

The impact of Peter upon the early church was stronger than that of any of the other original Twelve Apostles.
He was the most prominent disciple during Jesus' lifetime, and the first twelve chapters of the
Acts of the Apostles are devoted to his ministry.

St. Peter, who was the son of Jona, and was born in Bethsaida, was originally named Simon.
Simon was married, and according to Clement of Alexandria, had children.
The occupation which Simon and his brother Andrew had chosen was that of a fisherman, and he possessed his own boat.

Simon's brother Andrew one day followed Jesus to his house, and later brought Simon to Him.
Jesus said to Simon, "You are Simon the son of Jona: you shall be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter."

Simon followed Jesus to Galilee, Judea, Samaria, and back to Galilee, where he began to fish again.
However, he later received a firm call by the Lord to become one of His permanent Disciples.
Jesus addressed Peter and Andrew while they were fishing: "Come with me, and I will make you to be fishers of men."

From that point on, Peter followed Jesus with great fidelity, firmness of faith, and inward love.
On several occasions, Jesus favoured Peter above all the other Apostles, including the day when
Jesus miraculously walked across the water - he called Peter to come to Him across the lake.

One day, Jesus asked his Apostles, "Whom do you say that I am?"
Peter answered, "You are Christ, the Son of the living God."
And Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona:
because flesh and blood have not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.
And I say to you: That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.
And I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven."

Through these words, Jesus reveals that He wishes to make Peter the head of the whole community
of those who believed in Him, and that through Peter, the Kingdom of Christ would be unconquerable.
The spiritual guidance of the faithful was placed in the hands of Peter, who became the special representative of Jesus.
Peter was personally installed as Head of the Apostles by Christ himself, and is essentially the first Pope.

During the Passion of Christ, Peter assured Jesus that he was ready to accompany Him to death.
But due to exterior fear, and not due to a lapse of faith, Peter fulfilled the words of scripture, and denied Jesus three times.
Despite this weakness, Jesus later confirmed Peter's position as head of the Apostles.

The first day after the Resurrection, Jesus appeared first to Peter alone.
Christ also asked Peter to feed and defend His flock, and invited him to follow Him.
After the descent of the Holy Ghost on the feast of Pentecost, Peter delivered his first
public sermon to proclaim the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Peter undertook an extensive missionary tour, preaching the Gospel, converting Jewish people to
Christianity, and increasing the flock of believers.

In Jerusalem, Peter was imprisoned by Herod Agrippa I, who intended to execute him.
However, Peter was miraculously freed when an angel of the Lord visited his cell, and Peter's chains fell off his hands.
It is unknown as to where Peter definitely went afterwards, but it is believed he journeyed to
Antioch, where he founded the Church of Antioch.

During the final years of his life, it is established as a historical fact that Peter worked in Rome,
where he wrote his Epistles, and was then martyred.
It is believed Peter was crucified with his head downwards on the Vatican in the year 67,
and was then buried at the foot of Vatican Hill.
For a time, the remains of Peter were placed with those of St. Paul, in a vault on the Appian Way.
However, the remains of Peter were returned to their original resting place in Rome.
Constantine the Great had a basilica erected over the grave of Peter on the Vatican.

The basilica was replaced by the present St. Peter's Basilica in the sixteenth century.
Visitors of the Basilica have the great privilege of kneeling at the altar, directly over
the sarcophagus of the Apostle, St. Peter.

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