“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.‘
Matthew 16: 16-17
Yeshua said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven!‘“
“So Yeshua said to the Twelve, ‘You don‘t want to leave also, do you?‘ Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life! We have trusted and come to know that you are the Holy One of God.‘“
John 6: 67-69
“‘But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.‘“
Luke 22: 32
Saint Peter and Saint Paul dying as martyrs together in Rome
Some time between the years 64 and 68, during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero, Saint Peter and Saint Paul died as martyrs at the city of Rome – according to tradition on the same day, in the same year, which is why these two foundation stones of the Roman Church are remembered together on the 29th June each year. Saint Paul the Apostle, the Roman citizen, was beheaded; Saint Peter the Chief Apostle, the stranger, crucified upside down. According to Saint Jerome, their martyrdom happened in the 14th year of Nero‘s reign.
Saint Irenaues of Lyons, a disciple of Saint Polycarp who in turn was a disciple of Saint John the Apostle, notes in the third book of his treatise Against Heresies that
“(…) it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church (of Rome), on account of its preeminent authority.“
Saint Irenaeus of Lyons: Against Heresies, Book 3 Ch. 3
He speaks of the Roman Church as being
“(…) the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul (…).“
Saint Irenaeus of Lyons: Against Heresies, Book 3 Ch. 3
In Jacob de Voragines‘ Golden Legend we encounter a little dialogue between the two glorious apostles before they had to separate as they were led to their respective execution sites:
“Peace be with you, foundation stone of the churches and shepherd of the sheep and lambs of Christ!“ (Saint Paul to Saint Peter)
Jacobus de Voragine: The Golden Legend. Readings on the Saints, Princeton University Press 1993, p. 345
“Go in peace, preacher of virtuous living, mediator and leader of the salvation of the righteous!“ (Saint Peter to Saint Paul)
Following the martyrdom of Saint James the Greater at Jerusalem and the persecution of the Jerusalem congregation, Saint Peter leaves Jerusalem, travels first to Antioch, and arrives in Rome in the year 42, from then on serving as the bishop of Rome till his death. Saint Mark becomes his companion and interpreter. After Peter‘s death, Mark writes the gospel account related to his name at the request of the Christians of Rome who desire that the things Peter preached to them about Jesus Christ may be preserved in written form.
The two letters of Saint Peter which are part of the canon of the New Testament were written and sent from Rome. This is clear from the greeting given at the end of the first Epistle:
“Through Silvanus, whom I consider our faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! Messiah‘s community in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings. So does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Shalom to you all who are in Messiah. Amen.“
1 Peter 5: 12-14
“Babylon“ is a code word for Rome. Silvanus is the same man as Silas – the companion of Saint Paul the Apostle during his second missionary journey, once imprisoned together with him at Philippi.
“But Paul selected Silas and went out, being entrusted by the brothers and sisters to the gracious care of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the communities.“
Acts 15: 40
Even though there once was a little dispute between Peter and Paul because Paul felt that Peter had acted in a hypocritical way when he stopped eating with the Gentiles at Antioch due to the pressure of certain Jewish believers (recorded by Saint Paul in Galatians 2), it is obvious – not only from the testimonies of the Church Fathers but also from Saint Peter‘s second letter – that the two apostles worked together in harmony for the evangelization of the world and the salvation of souls:
“Bear in mind that the patience of our Lord means salvation – just as our dearly loved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom given to him. He speaks about these matters in all of his letters. Some things in them are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist (as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures) – to their own destruction.“
2 Peter 3: 15-16
Saint Peter and Saint Paul had different characters, life stories, and gifts, and therefore they had different roles to play. The short dialogue quoted above from the Golden Legend points out their respective charisms quite well: Saint Peter was called to be the “shepherd“ of the sheep. His letters have a very pastoral tone and content to them. Saint Paul was called to be a “preacher“ and a “teacher“ which is why his letters are so “theological“ and sometimes “hard to understand“ (2 Pt 3: 16).
While Saint Peter was married and had children, Saint Paul remained celibate all his life, taking a Nazarite vow at one point, as is recorded in the book of Acts. And whereas Peter the fisherman from the rural Galilee was one of Jesus‘ very first disciples, walking with Him from the beginning of His public ministry, one of the “eyewitnesses of His majesty“ (2 Peter 1: 16), Paul the Pharisee from the line of Benjamin, born in the city of Tarsus, Cicilia, who had studied in the school of rabbi Gamaliel, had for some time persecuted the Church with angry zeal before an apparition of the risen Christ effected his complete conversion.
More pieces of information on Saint Peter from Sacred Scripture and the Golden Legend
Saint Peter was born as Simon bar Jona – as the son of John – in Bethsaida on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. He settled in the seaside town of Capernaum where he lived with his wife and his mother-in-law and worked as a fisherman. Saint Andrew the Apostle was his brother and a disciple of John the Baptist. Saint John the Apostle and Saint James the Greater – the “sons of Zebedee“ – had their fishing business right next to Peter and Andrew.
According to the gospel of Saint John, it was Andrew who brought Simon Peter to Jesus, telling him “We‘ve found the Messiah!“ (Jn 2: 41).
There and then, the fisherman Simon receives a new name, identity and mission from the Messiah:
“You are Simon, son of John. You shall be called Kefa (which is translated Peter).“
John 2: 42
“Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.“
Mark 1: 17
Later, Jesus makes known to his chosen apostles that Peter is the “rock“ on which His Church will be built (Mt 16: 18). The gospel of John presents at the end of its last chapter the account of a dialogue between Simon Peter and Jesus in which Jesus reaffirms Peter‘s pastoral mission and his preeminent role among the twelve apostles. He also gives him a hint about the suffering that lies ahead of him, the one who had not too long ago undergone the bitter tears of repentance after his betrayal of Christ.
“Yeshua said to him, ‘Feed My sheep!‘
John 21: 17-19
‘Amen, amen I tell you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.‘ Now this He said to indicate by what kind of death Peter was going to glorify God.“
The Golden Legend quotes Saint Clement of Rome relating that Saint Peter was often weeping whenever he remembered Christ‘s presence and speech, and whenever he heard the cock crow at dawn – that his face seemed “to be burned with tears“ (ibid. p. 341). This Saint Clement had been consecrated by Saint Peter and served as the fourth bishop of Rome in the years 88-99.
Saint Peter‘s way of life was one of poverty and simplicity. According to Saint Clement, the apostle himself had this to say about his food and clothing:
“All I eat is bread with olives and sometimes vegetables. What I wear is what you see – a tunic and a cloak. I don‘t need anything else.“
Jacobus de Voragine: The Golden Legend. Readings on the Saints, Princeton University Press 1993, p. 341
The Golden Legend also tells us that Saint Peter‘s wife died as a martyr, too. It relates that he said to her “Dear wife, remember the Lord“ (ibid. p. 341) as she was led to her execution.
Saint Peter against Simon the Magician and the heretics
Jacobus de Voragine extensively reports the legendary stories about various confrontations between Saint Peter and Simon Magus, also known as Simon the Scorcerer or Simon the Magician. The claim was even made – by Saint Isidore as quoted in the Golden Legend – that Saint Peter went to Rome precisely to “oppose Simon Magus“ (ibid. p. 346) who was spreading his anti-gospel there.
We do not have to go into these apocryphical legends in order to see that it was a huge part of Saint Peter‘s mission as the “rock“ of the whole Church to call out heretics and to combat their heretical teachings. An account of the root and of the first round of this conflict between Saint Peter and Simon Magus is given in the book of Acts. We will look at it in just a moment.
It is not easy to put together a clear picture of what Simon Magus taught. There are references to him and his teachings in various testimonies of the Church Fathers (Saint Justin Martyr, Saint Irenaeus of Lyons, Saint Hippolytus, and Saint Epiphanius). What can be said with certainty is that he taught some sort of pagan Gnosticism with himself styled as the Redeemer, and that in the 2nd century there existed the Gnostic sect of the Simonians who were tracing themselves back to him. He was considered by the Church Fathers as a false messiah and father of heresies – the first heretic. According to Saint Justin and Saint Irenaeus, he had a female companion by the name of Helena while at Rome. Additionally, Saint Justin tells us that this Simon was originally from Gitta in Samaria.
So here is what we can know about this man from the book of Acts. It is Saint Peter who excommunicates him:
“Now a man named Simon had been practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying he was someone great. They all were paying special attention to him, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great‘.‘ And they kept paying attention to him, because for a long time he had astonished them with his magical arts. But when they believed Philip proclaining the Good News about the kingdom of God and the name of Messiah Yeshua, both men and women were immersed. Even Simon himself believed; and after being immersed, he continued with Philip. And when he saw signs and great miracles happening, he was continually amazed. (…)
Acts 8: 9-24
(Peter and John) came down (from Jerusalem) and prayed for them to receive the Ruach ha-Kodesh. For He had not yet come upon them; they had only been immersed in the name of the Lord Yeshua. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Ruach ha-Kodesh. Now when Simon saw that the Ruach ha-Kodesh was given through the laying on of hands by the (apostles), he offered them money, saying, ‘Give this power to me, too – so that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Ruach ha-Kodesh.‘
Peter said to him, ‘May your silver go to ruin, and you with it – because you thought you could buy God‘s gift with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be pardoned. For I see in you the poison of bitterness and the bondage of unrighteousness!‘
Simon replied, ‘Pray for me, so that none of what you have said may come upon me.‘“
Simon Magus, then, was a member of the Church through baptism. Philip the Evangelist baptized him, and the apostles Peter and John came to Samaria to confer the Sacrament of Holy Confirmation on the new believers. It seemed as if the man who had led Samaria astray “with his magical arts“ had been converted to the true faith. But as soon as he wants to buy spiritual power with money, it becomes clear that his heart and mind have not changed. He is greedy for power and his own glory.
In his second letter “to those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua“ (2 Pt 1: 1), Saint Peter warns the sheep of the flock about heretical teachers and false prophets of lawlessness:
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies. They will even deny the Master who bought them – bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result the way of the truth will be maligned. In their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction does not slumber.“
2 Peter 2: 1-3; 10-15; 17; 21
“Brazen and arrogant, these people do not tremble while slandering glorious beings; yet even angels, though stronger and more powerful, do not bring a slanderous charge against them before the Lord. But these people are like irrational animals – creatures of instinct born to be captured and killed. They malign what they don‘t understand, and in their destruction they will be utterly destroyed. They will be paid back for what they have done – evil for evil. They consider carousing in broad daylight a pleasure. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deceitful pleasures while feasting together with you. They have eyes full of adultery that never stop sinning, enticing unstable souls. They have hearts trained in greed – a cursed brood! They have abandoned the straight way. They have gone astray.“
“These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. The gloom of utter darkness has been reserved for them.“
“For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after learning about it, to turn back from the holy commandment passed on to them.“
Saint Peter against “clericalism“
Pope Francis has, during his pontificate so far, spoken many times about something he has termed “clericalism“, warning young priests – but also the laity – to not fall into this trap. What does he mean? Here are some quotes from Pope Francis that give us an idea of the thing he wishes to be corrected in the Church:
“Clericalism is a perversion of the priesthood: it is a perversion. And rigidity is one of the manifestions. (…) Behind rigidity, there is a serious problem, because rigidity lacks humanity.“ (June 2021)
Pope Francis
“Clericalism (…) is a disease (that) takes away the freedom of believers‘ faith.“ (May 2020)
“The lack of consciousness of belonging to God’s people as servants, and not masters, can lead us to one of the temptations that is most damaging to the missionary outreach that we are called to promote: clericalism, which ends up as a caricature of the vocation we have received. (…) Let us be clear about this. The laypersons are not our peons, or our employees. They don’t have to parrot back whatever we say.” (January 2018)
“There is that spirit of clericalism in the Church, that we feel: clerics feel superior; clerics distance themselves from the people.“ (December 2016)
“We are pastors. A pastor cannot imagine himself without his flock, which he is called to serve. The pastor is a pastor of a people, and he serves the people from amongst them. (…) It is good for us to remember that the Church is not an elite of priests, of consecrated people, of bishops – but that everyone forms the Holy Faithful People of God. (…) This attitude (of clericalism) not only cancels out the personality of Christians, but tends to diminish and undervalue the baptismal grace that the Holy Spirit has placed in the heart of our people. (…) Clericalism forgets that the visibility and the sacramentality of the Church belongs to all the people of God and not only an elect or illuminated few. (…) It is illogical, and even impossible, to think that we as pastors should have the monopoly on solutions for the many challenges that modern life presents to us. On the contrary, we must remain at the side of our people, accompanying them in their work and stimulating that capable imagination of responding to current problems. (…) Our role, our joy, the joy of the pastor, is truly in the helping and the stimulating. Laypeople are a part of the Holy Faithful People of God and therefore are protagonists of the Church and the world; we are called to serve them, not them to serve us.” (April 2016)
Pope Francis keeps returning to this topic in his homilies and addresses. It seems to be an important issue in his eyes.
Maybe, one could say that the danger of “clericalism“ described by him was already present right from the beginning and that Saint Peter addresses a certain aspect of it in his first letter:
“Therefore I appeal to the (presbyters) among you – as a fellow (presbyter) and witness of Messiah‘s sufferings, and a partaker also of the glory about to be revealed – shepherd God‘s flock among you. Watch over it not under compulsion but willingly before God, not for dishonest gain but eagerly. Don‘t lord it over those apportioned to you, but become examples to the flock. When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you younger ones, submit yourselves to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.‘“
1 Peter 5: 1-5
So Saint Peter exhorts both the priests and the laity to practice humility, and reminds his fellow priests that they are “pastors“ – “shepherds“ – called to tend and take care of the sheep, and not called to “lord it over“ them, thereby recalling what Christ, the “Chief Shepherd“ and example for everyone in practicing humility, had taught His apostles:
“You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones play the tyrant over them. It shall not be this way among you. But whoever wants to be great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you shall be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.“
Matthew 20: 25-28
In the same letter, Saint Peter also talks about the so-called “common priesthood“ of the whole people of God, stressing that all the faithful baptized of the Church have a share in the priestly vocation:
“As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house – a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Messiah Yeshua.“
1 Peter 2: 4-5; 9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God‘s own possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.“
Saint Peter encouraging the Church to “share in the sufferings of Christ“
The first bishop of Rome opposed heretics, safeguarded the true doctrine of Christ, gave counsel and example to his fellow priests, and he encouraged the believers – “the sojourners of the Diaspora“ (1 Peter 1: 1) – to “share in the sufferings of Christ“ (1 Peter 4: 13), to suffer gladly for the sake of righteousness, and to remember that they all, the whole Universal Church, were going through the same sufferings together:
“Loved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal taking place among you to test you – as though something strange were happening to you. Instead, rejoice insofar as you share in the sufferings of Messiah, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be glad. If you are insulted for the name of Messiah, you are fortunate, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.“
1 Peter 4: 12-14; 19; 1 Peter 5: 9-10
“So then, those who suffer according to God‘s will – let them trust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.“
“Stand up against (the devil), firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of sufferings are being laid upon your brothers and sisters throughout the world. After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace – who has called you into His eternal glory in Messiah – will Himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.“
Saint Peter, Holy Apostle, Rock of the Church, pray for us!
“Glorious are the apostles of Christ; they loved each other in this life; they are not separated in death.“
From the Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours for the Vigil of Saints Peter and Paul
“We pray to Christ who built his Church on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
Lord, be with your people.
Simon the fisherman was called by you to be a fisher of men: call others today to share in his task.
Lord, be with your people.
When the disciples feared that the ship was sinking, you commanded the sea and there was calm: protect your Church in the midst of trouble, and give her the peace that the world cannot give.
Lord, be with your people.
After your resurrection you gathered your Church around Peter: gather all your people now into the unity for which you prayed.
Lord, be with your people.
You sent Paul as an apostle to all men: let your good news be preached today through all creation.
Lord, be with your people.
You entrusted the keys of your kingdom to your Church: open the gates of life to the dead who put their trust in you.
Lord, be with your people.“
“Lord our God, may the blessed apostles Peter and Paul support us by their prayers. Through them you first taught your Church the Christian faith. Provide us now, by their intercession, with help for our salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.“
Post scriptum: Saint Peter in the catacombs
Tradition links Saint Peter with the catacomb of Saint Priscilla on the Via Salaria in Rome. It is said that there he instructed the faithful of Rome and administered baptisms.
