Saint Peter

apostle of Jesus Christ

b. 1 BC · d. c. 65

1st Patriarch of Antioch (Greek line) · 37–54 · 1st Bishop of Rome (Pope) · 33–67

Offices

Saint Peter, also known as Peter the Apostle and Simon Peter, or Cephas was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and one of the first leaders of the early Christian Church. He appears repeatedly and prominently in all four New Testament gospels, as well as the Acts of the Apostles. Catholic and Orthodox tradition treats Peter as the first bishop of Rome – or pope – and also as the first bishop of Antioch. According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero.

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Recorded as a historical figure.

  • Gospel of Matthew 10 claims — Sermon on the Mount; Sending of the Twelve; Walking on the Water
  • Acts of the Apostles 9 claims — Election of Matthias; Pentecost; Gamaliel's counsel before the council
  • Gospel of John 5 claims — The Calling of the First Disciples; Marriage at Cana; Christ washing the Disciples' feet
  • Ecclesiastical History 4 claims — HE 3.36; HE 2.14, 2.25; Mark writes down Peter's preaching
  • Gospel of Mark 3 claims — Calling of the Twelve; Feeding of the Five Thousand; triumphal entry into Jerusalem
  • Gospel of Luke 1 claim — Ascension of Jesus
  • Liber Pontificalis 1 claim — Liber Pontificalis, the life of Saint Peter
  • The Early Church 1 claim — Neronian persecution

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  • A cross that became a flag Andrew is the First-Called in the Orthodox reckoning — the first of the Twelve to follow, and the one who brings his brother Peter. The tradition has him crucified at Patras on a diagonal cross, said to have been his…

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