Christians Honour Saints Peter and Paul

The Apostle Peter, who came from the Galilean town of Bethsaida, was one of Christ’s twelve disciples, called together with his brother Andrew. After Pentecost, he preached in Jerusalem, in Antioch, Syria, and finally in Rome. Peter is mentioned in the Gospels and in the Book of Acts, while Paul is mentioned in Acts and in his epistles. Peter wrote two epistles to the Christians in Asia Minor.

The Apostle Paul was not among Christ’s disciples and had even been a persecutor of the first Christian community, which emerged from Jews who had come to believe in Christ. But while travelling to the city of Damascus to persecute Jews there who had converted to Christianity, Christ appeared to him, and from that moment the persecutor changed completely — he became a zealous Christian and preacher of the new faith. Born in the diaspora, he directed his preaching to people outside Palestine and began bringing non-Jews into the Church. He preached across the Mediterranean, endured many trials and ended his life in Rome. He left 14 letters, or epistles, which are extensive and profound works on matters of faith.

Christians honour the holy apostles Peter and Paul. A medieval tradition called them coryphaei in Greek, rendered in Bulgarian as foremost among the apostles. Andrew was called first and was therefore rightly named the First-Called, but Peter surpassed him through his zeal and quick responses to the Teacher’s questions or actions.

In his epistles, Peter advises believers: Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour; resist him with firm faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brothers throughout the world.