The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Chief Apostle Peter
June 29 on the Julian calendar; July 12 on the civil calendar
Dates follow the calendar tradition used by this project. Parishes using the new calendar celebrate fixed feasts on different civil dates.
Saint Peter was a fisherman of Galilee who became one of Christ’s closest disciples and a leading apostle. His life shows how repentance, love for Christ, and faithfulness to a calling can transform human weakness.
Short life
Saint Peter, first called Simon, was the brother of Saint Andrew and a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee. He was married, and the Gospel records Christ’s healing of his mother-in-law from a fever. After Simon confessed Jesus as the Son of God, he received the name Cephas, or Peter. With James and John, he witnessed major miracles in the Savior’s earthly life. On the night before the Crucifixion, Peter denied Christ three times. After the Resurrection, the Lord asked him three times whether he loved Him and entrusted him with the care of His sheep.
Life and context
After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter addressed the gathered crowd. The Acts of the Apostles also relates miracles performed through him in Christ’s name. He baptized Cornelius, described as the first Gentile convert, and traveled to proclaim the Gospel in many places. Acts recounts that he was imprisoned and released with the help of an angel. Two Epistles attributed to Peter belong to the New Testament.
Why he is venerated
Church hymns call Peter and Paul the chief apostles, the foremost among the Apostles. Peter is honored not as someone without failure, but for his passage from fear and denial to repentance, love, and apostolic service. He was put to death in Rome during the reign of Nero. According to Church Tradition, he asked to be crucified upside down because he considered himself unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. His commemoration calls Christians to return to Christ and serve Him faithfully.
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Sources: Orthodox Church in America