Biography of Saint Peter the Apostle

Saint Peter the Apostle

Also known as

• Cephas
• First Pope
• Keipha
• Kepha
• Pre-eminent Apostle
• Prince of the Apostles
• Shimon Bar-Yonah
• Shimon Ben-Yonah
• Simeon
• Simon
• Simon bar Jonah
• Simon ben Jonah
• Simon Peter

Memorials

• 29 June (feast of Peter and Paul as founders of the Church)
• 22 February (feast of the Chair of Peter, emblematic of the world unity of the Church)
• 1 August (Saint Peter in Chains)
• 18 November (feast of the dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul)

Profile

Professional fisherman. Brother of Saint Andrew the Apostle, the man who led him to Christ. Apostle. Renamed "Peter" (rock) by Jesus to indicate that Peter would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. Bishop. First Pope. Miracle worker.

Born

c.1 in Bethsaida as Simon

Died

• martyred c.64 in Rome, Italy
• crucified head downward because he claimed he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ

Name Meaning

rock

Patronage

• Universal Church
• against fever
• against foot problems
• against frenzy
• bakers
• bridge builders
• butchers
• clockmakers
• cobblers, shoemakers
• fishermen
• harvesters
• locksmiths
• longevity
• net makers
• papacy
• popes
• shipbuilders, shipwrights
• stonemasons
• watchmakers
• Isle of Guernsey
• Exeter College, Oxford, England
• 17 dioceses
• 46 cities
• 3 abbeys

Representation

• book
• cock or rooster
• reversed cross
• keys of Heaven
• keys
• pallium
• papal vestments
• Apostle holding a book
• Apostle holding a scroll
• cornerstone
• bald man, often with a fringe of hair on the sides and a tuft on top
• man crucified head downwards
• man holding a key or keys
• pope and bearing keys and a double-barred cross

Storefront

• artwork, medals, pendants, books
• books, statues

Readings

Out of the whole world one man, Peter, is chosen to preside at the of all nations and to be set over all the apostles and all the fathers of the church. Though there are in God's people many bishops and many shepherds, Peter is thus appointed to rule in his own person those whom Christ also rules as the original ruler. Beloved, how great and wonderful is this sharing in his power that God in his goodness has given to this man. Whatever Christ has willed to be shared in common by Peter and the other leaders of the Church, it is only through Peter that he has given to others what he has not refused to bestow on them. Jesus said: "Upon this rock, I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." On this strong foundation, he says, I will build an everlasting temple. The great height of my Church, which is to penetrate the heavens, shall rise on the firm foundation of this faith. Blessed Peter is therefore told: "To you, I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven. Whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed also in heaven." - from a sermon by Pope Saint Leo the Great