The feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul is a significant celebration on the Christian calendar, especially in the ancient churches of the East and West, because it commemorates the lives of two of the most important martyrs and leaders in all of Christian history.
However, this is not a holy day that shows up on the “must cover” list in many newsroom calendars. A quick Google News search for the past few days will demonstrate that reality.
Should that change? The annual feast is observed on June 29 and holds deep religious and historical significance for Christians around the world.
The date commemorates the death of the two saints. They are believed to be buried at the two basilicas that bear their names — St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome. Through their tireless efforts and unwavering faith, Peter and Paul left an indelible mark on Christianity, shaping the faith’s foundations and spreading the message of Jesus in the world.
The feast day serves as a reminder of the enduring power of faith and the transformative impact of Christ’s message. It calls believers to emulate the courage and commitment displayed by these apostles. Their lives serve as a testament to the transformative power of encountering Christ and the call to proclaim His message of love and salvation to the world.
In recent years, it has also become — more than once — the hook for major ecumenical events involving Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy.
Here is what journalists and readers need to know about the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul:
St. Peter, also known as Simon, was one of the 12 apostles chosen by Jesus to be one of his closest followers. Catholics consider him the first pope and the founder of the church in Rome. Peter was a humble fisherman when Jesus called him to be a “fisher of men.”
Despite his initial doubts, Peter became a steadfast disciple and emerged as a prominent leader in the early Christian community. He is renowned for his faith, preaching and commitment to Christ, even in the face of persecution by the Romans.
St. Paul, originally named Saul, was a zealous persecutor of Christians until he encountered Jesus in a transformative experience on the road to Damascus. After his conversion, Paul became one of the most influential figures in the early spread of Christianity in the Middle East and later Europe.
He embarked on several missionary journeys, traveling extensively throughout the Roman Empire, proclaiming the gospel and establishing Christian communities. Paul’s writings, found in the New Testament, are revered for their theological depth and continue to guide believers today.
Both men were executed for their faith. Paul, who was a citizen of Rome, was beheaded. Peter, a Jew, was crucified like Jesus — then placed upside down when he asked that he not die like Christ.
For the Church of Rome, the feast day serves as a time to honor their remarkable contributions to the Christian faith. It is a day of joyful celebration, marked by various religious observances and traditions.
Churches around the world hold special Masses and liturgical services dedicated to these two apostles. Catholics gather to pay homage to Peter and Paul, seeking their intercession and inspiration in their own spiritual journeys.
In Rome, the feast takes on particular significance, for a very obvious reason — the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican becomes the focal point of grand celebrations.
The pope — as the successor of St. Peter — presides over the liturgical ceremonies, emphasizing the unity and continuity of the church from its earliest days. Pilgrims from all corners of the globe flock to Rome, drawn by the allure of witnessing this historic event and seeking spiritual blessings.
A special Mass is held at the Vatican. During this Mass, the pope may confer the “pallium” (a liturgical vestment) upon newly appointed archbishops. Specific readings from the Bible, particularly Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel of Matthew, are chosen to be read, and many Italians and tourists use it as a chance to visit Rome as part of a religious pilgrimage. The saints are also the official patrons of the Italian capital.
Do other Christian traditions mark this day? Yes, they do.
In Eastern Orthodoxy, churches celebrate the feast day with a major Divine Liturgy, the faith’s central act of worship, usually following a vigil the previous night. These rites include prayers, hymns and scripture readings that focus on the lives and teachings of Peter and Paul.
The Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul is followed on the June 30 by the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Twelve Apostles.
Icons of Peter and Paul are venerated, and relics associated with the apostles may be displayed for veneration by the faithful. In addition, some Eastern Orthodox communities hold a festive meal or banquet following liturgical services in order to bring the community together in celebration after the end of the Apostles Fast.
Beyond these ancient churches, other Christian denominations — such as Anglicans and many Lutherans — also observe this feast day with reverence, commemorating the apostles Peter and Paul as preeminent saints, recognizing their martyrdom and spiritual leadership. Some of these churches conduct special services and even processions.
ORIGINAL SOURCE: Clemente Lisi wrote this mini-think piece — “How Christians Around The World Celebrate The Feast Of Saints Peter And Paul” — for Religion Unplugged.
FIRST IMAGE: Icon of St. Peter and St. Paul, available at OrthodoxGifts.com