The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul honors the martyrdom of the Apostles Peter and Paul, two of the most significant figures in early Christianity. It is a solemn feast in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches and is considered a Holy Day of Obligation in many Catholic regions.

Table of Contents

1. When is St. Peter and St. Paul?
2. The History of St. Peter and St. Paul?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. St. Peter and St. Paul

When is St. Peter and St. Paul?

The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul is celebrated annually on June 29. This date is observed universally in both the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, as well as in other Christian traditions, to honor the martyrdom and contributions of these two great Apostles.

The following is the list of St. Peter and St. Paul from 2020 to 2049.

The History of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul represents the foundations of Christianity: St. Peter as the leader of the Apostles and the Church, and St. Paul as the missionary who spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Peter and Paul had different missions and personalities but were united in their faith and dedication to spreading the Gospel. Their martyrdoms are a testament to their unwavering faith and their ultimate sacrifice for Christ.

By the 4th century, June 29 was established as a feast day to honor both Peter and Paul in Rome. The date may have been chosen to commemorate the transfer of their relics to their respective basilicas or as the traditional anniversary of their martyrdom.

St. Peter and St. Paul are the patron saints of Rome, and the feast day highlights their pivotal role in establishing the Church in the city. Early Christians venerated their graves and considered their martyrdom a testimony to the strength of faith.

The feast has universal significance for Christians but is particularly meaningful in Rome, where it is marked by special liturgies and processions.

During the Middle Ages, pilgrimages to the basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome became popular. These pilgrimages were considered acts of great devotion and often included indulgences.

Today, the day is sometimes marked with the blessing of the pallium, a woolen vestment symbolizing unity with the Pope, for newly appointed metropolitan archbishops in the Catholic Church.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Christians around the world honor these two great Apostles through liturgical celebrations, personal devotions and community traditions.

People attend Holy Mass or Divine Liturgy, special Masses or liturgies dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul.

In Rome, the Pope traditionally blesses the pallium, a woolen vestment symbolizing unity with the Papacy. The pallium is given to newly appointed metropolitan archbishops.

Pilgrimages to sites associated with Peter and Paul, especially in Rome, are a common tradition. In some regions, processions featuring statues or icons of St. Peter and St. Paul are held.

People spend time in prayer, reflecting on the lives of Peter and Paul, their faith, and their sacrifices. Families may read Scripture passages about the Apostles' lives and missions.

Inspired by the Apostles' example, some use the day to perform acts of charity, serving those in need.

St. Peter and St. Paul

St. Peter:

St. Peter was originally named Simon, and he was a fisherman from Bethsaida. He was called by Jesus to be one of His first disciples. He denied Jesus three times but later reaffirmed his love and commitment after the Resurrection.

Jesus gave him the name "Peter", meaning "rock". Peter became the leader of the Apostles, often referred to as the first Pope in Catholic tradition. After Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension, Peter led the early Christian community in Jerusalem and later in Rome.

St. Peter was martyred in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero, which is around 64–68 AD. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Peter's remains are believed to rest beneath St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

St. Paul:

St. Paul was originally named Saul of Tarsus, and he was a Pharisee who initially persecuted Christians. His dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus transformed him into a zealous advocate for Christianity.

Paul became the "Apostle to the Gentiles", spreading the Gospel across the Roman Empire through his missionary journeys and authoring much of the New Testament.

St. Paul was martyred in Rome, likely in 67 AD, during Nero's persecution of Christians. As a Roman citizen, Paul was beheaded rather than crucified because he was a Roman citizen and entitled to a less painful execution. Paul's burial site is traditionally identified as the location of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.