Saint Peter and Saint Paul Day is likely one of the oldest feast days celebrated in the Christian calendar.

Peter, whom Jesus entrusted with the care of His Church, was very different from Paul. Peter’s personality was rough and impatient. He was poor and uneducated. Now if Jesus had thought as worldly people do, He never would have chosen Peter as the first pope. Instead, he would have chosen someone like Paul, refined and educated.

Peter was the head of the apostles and the first pope. Paul, formerly called Saul, was a persecutor of the Christian faith, but converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus.

Regardless of their differences, Peter and Paul came to the same end: martyrdom for the Holy Name of Jesus. In the year 67, Saint Peter was crucified upside-down in the circus of Nero, and buried nearby in an out-of-the-way cemetery on the Vatican hill. Saint Paul, after being held a prisoner in Rome for many years, was beheaded just outside the walls of the city.

As with their Lord, these two men came to what seemed to be shameful deaths.

Though he was one of the first disciples called to follow Jesus and eventually became the spokesman for the group, Peter is known for his "little faith." He was instrumental in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles. He baptized the Roman pagan Cornelius, and at the Council of Jerusalem gave his support to preach to Gentiles, thereby permitting the new Church to become universal.

Saint Paul is one of the most important and influential of all the saints. Many of his writings are contained in the Canon of the Bible and have influenced the growth and development of the Church since the first century.

Paul was originally known as Saul; he was a Roman citizen and a Pharisee. He even presided over the persecutions of the early Christians and was present at the martyrdom of St. Stephen. However, Saul experienced a powerful vision that caused him to convert to Christianity while on the road to Damascus. He was duly baptized and took the name Paul.

He travelled the world, first to Arabia then back to Damascus. Eventually, he returned to Tarsus, where he was born. After establishing his churches, Paul remained in communication with the faithful, often writing letters to answer questions and resolve disputes.

The letters that have survived have become part of the Bible. Paul's writings are important because they provide good advice for how Christians should live.

Paul travelled throughout much of Europe, particularly in Macedonia, Greece, and Italy. While preparing for a missionary trip to Spain, he was imprisoned in Caesarea by the Jews for two years. He travelled again, was shipwrecked in Malta, and was imprisoned for another two years for preaching in Rome. Despite these imprisonments, Paul continued to preach. He eventually made his way to Spain, then returned to the East, and finally returned to Rome once again.

In 67 AD, Paul was arrested in Rome for a second time and this time he was beheaded under the insane Emperor Nero.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Cassius of Narni
2. Saint Cocha
3. Saint Mary Salome
4. Saint Judith
5. Saint Salome

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