Peter:

Simon is more often called Peter, or Simon Peter. That is because Jesus, when He first met Simon, gave him a new name. He told him: “you shall be called Peter.”

Jesus used the word “Cephas,” which meant “rock” in the language spoken in the Holy Land in those time… One day Jesus asked His disciples who people thought He was. They said Elijah, Jeremiah or some other Prophet. Jesus then asked them who they thought He was. Peter spoke up: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus said to Peter: “You are Peter (which means Rock), and upon this rock I will build My Church

Peter, James and John went up a mountain with Jesus and saw Him transfigured…

In Peter’s absence, Jesus was crucified, died, and was placed in a tomb. On the third day, Mary Magdalene told Peter and John that the tomb was empty.

The two apostles ran to the tomb. Peter went in first and looked at the linen cloths and then at the folded scarf which had been wrapped about Jesus’ head. Then they left for home wondering what it all meant…

Jesus appeared to Peter and the Apostles by the seashore. After they shared a meal, He asked Peter tree times whether he loved Him.

Peter answered that he did, and each time Jesus told him to feed His lambs and sheep. He also told him to bear his suffering with patience.

In this way Jesus made Peter the first Pope, His Vicar, and the head of His Church…

Peter speaks about Jesus to the people… in one day about 3000 people joined the Church...

Peter Cures a man with the palsy…

Peter raises a woman called Dorcas from the dead…

The ruler put Peter and the Apostles in prison. The next morning they sent for them but the officer could not find them.

While the apostles were in prison an angel had opened the doors by night and brought them out. He told them to continue to teach the people…

Peter was Bishop of Antioch two years before the council of Jerusalem which took place in the year 49. He was the Head of that first Council of the Church… There is a story that Peter was leaving Rome when he met Jesus coming in and he asked Him where He was going.

Jesus said: “I am going to be crucified again.”

Peter at once turned back, realizing that the cross was to be for him too.

Peter was crucified in Rome in 66 or 67. By his own request he was hung on the Cross with his head downward. 

Paul of Tarsus became the most bitter enemy that Christians had. He obtained letters from the high priest to take soldiers to Damascus and bring back Christians to Jerusalem in chains.

As Saul and his group drew near to Damascus, a great light shone around them. Saul looked up but fell to the earth blinded. He then heard a voice saying: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. The voice answered: “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting.”

Those that were with Saul saw the light, but they did not hear the voice. Saul then spoke: “Lord, what do You want me to do?” 

The voice answered: “Arise and go into the city, and there you will be told what to do.

When Saul got up, he could not see. They led him by the hand into Damascus. A disciple named Ananias was sent by God to Saul. He took him by the hand and said: “Brother Saul, receive your sight. God has chosen you to be His witness to all men.” Saul could now see again. He arose and was baptized in the faith of Jesus. He took the Greek Christian name of Paul. Paul and Ananias visited the Christians in Damascus. Paul preached to everyone that Jesus was the promised Savior and he offered proof of this from the Scriptures.

This angered the rulers of the people, who decided to attack Paul when he left the city. But the Christians helped Paul escape. They put him in a basket and lowered it by means of a rope from a window above the city. So after three years Paul left Damascus.

Paul went to Jerusalem and sought out the disciples of Jesus…

Paul wrote many letters to the Churches he had founded, explaining about Jesus. They became parts of the New Testament. The spirit of God helped him what to write, so his letters are God’s word.

Paul was a great here. He suffered very much for his beloved Master. Five times he was cruelly beaten. Once he was stoned and left for dead. Three times he was shipwrecked, and once he was in the water a whole day and a night, kept afloat only by some piece of a ship.

But many beautiful things happened to Paul, too, which strengthened him for his work. Jesus spoke to him right out of heaven, as Paul was going to Damascus. Many times God spoke to him, bringing comfort and hope.

Once in a vision Paul say the glories of heaven and heard words so wonderful that no man could ever speak them.

We should try to imitate St. Paul in his love for Jesus and His Church. We should pray to him for all the missionaries who are continuing his work throughout the world.

After thirty years of untiring labor, long travels and constant persecution, Paul, the great Apostle of Jesus Christ, finally died the death of a martyr. He was beheaded about the year 67 in Rome.

Lord you have made this day holy by the martyrdom of Your Apostles Peter and Paul.

Grant that your Church may follow in all things the precepts of those from whom she first received the Faith. Amen.

From Saint Paul, and Saint Peter by father Lovasik.