Saint Peter the Apostle

Born:  Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee
Feast Day:  June 29
Date of Death:  Saint Peter died in A.D. 64
Cause of Death:  Crucified
Patron Saint of:  Fishermen

The Story and History of Saint Peter:

Peter was born at Bethsaida, near the Sea of Galilee. Peter, whose name was originally Simon, was a fisherman along with his brother Andrew. Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was first a follower of John the Baptist and then became the first apostle of Jesus. Andrew introduced his brother Simon to Jesus. The name Peter, meaning 'rock', was selected by Jesus to indicate that he would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built.

Peter was a faithful follower of Jesus although at the Last Supper Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times following his death. Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." At the time of the arrest of Jesus, Peter cut off the ear of a servant of the high priest with a sword but then, as had been predicted, he denied three times that he had never known Jesus.

Peter then traveled to spread the Gospel and was in Rome in 63/64AD during the rule of the Roman Emperor Nero (r.54-68). In 64 AD Nero set fire to Rome and blamed the Christians for its destruction. Peter was one of the Christians who was taken prisoner and was sentenced to death by crucifixion.

Saint Peter was crucified with his head downwards because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same manner and posture as his Divine Master.

Death of Saint Peter:

There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Peter died in A.D. 64. Cause of Death: Crucified. 

Why is Saint Peter the Patron of Fishermen?

St. Peter is the patron of fishermen because he was himself a fisherman.

How Saint Peter is Represented in Christian Art:

It is helpful to be able to recognize Saint Peter in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Peter is represented in Christian Art with are keys, in allusion to his custody of the portals of Heaven, and a book or scroll.

When our Lord said to him, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew xvi. 18), He employed a set form of words well understood by the Apostle. A key was anciently the recognized symbol of authority, and the presentation of a key the usual mode of investiture with supreme authority.

Saint Paul the Apostle

Born:  As Saul in c 3AD Tarsus, Cilicia (modern Turkey)
Feast Day:  June 29
Date of Death:  Saint Paul died in A.D. 64
Cause of Death:  Beheaded
Patron Saint of:  Authors, Press, Publishers and Writers. 

The Story and History of Saint Paul:

Paul was born as Saul (his Roman name) in c 3 AD at Tarsus, Cilicia (modern Turkey). He was the son of Jewish parents who was brought up according to the strict influential party of the Pharisees who enjoyed the high distinction of Roman citizenship. The Pharisees were extremely zealous in their commitment to the Law and who would later oppose and persecute Jesus and His teachings and plot his death.
 
The family was tent-makers by trade. Paul did not get to know Jesus during His early years as he travelled a lot. When he returned to Jerusalem he became a bitter opponent of Jesus and the new Christian religion. Saul travelled to Damascus to arrest another group of Christians. On his journey to Damascus he was knocked to the ground and struck blind by a heavenly light he special revelation which had a profound spiritual effect on him. Saul converted to Christianity and was later baptized with the name of Paul.
 
He began traveling and preaching and spent time in the dessert preparing for his evangelical mission and where he received other revelations. He travelled with Barnabas on his first missionary journey to preach in Tarsus, Damascus, Antioch and Cyprus. He then went on to preach in Asia Minor, Europe and Ephesus. 
 
Between his missions he returned to Jerusalem four times. On his fifth return to Jerusalem Paul was arrested and held as a prisoner for two years at Caesarea. Paul claimed his right as a Roman citizen to be tried in Rome and in 60AD was sent by sea to Rome. On the journey Paul was shipwrecked and delayed on the island of Malta. In Rome he was released after two years and continued with his missions. He returned to Rome in 63/64AD during the rule of the Roman Emperor Nero (r.54-68). In 64 AD Nero set fire to Rome and blamed the Christians for its destruction. Paul was one of the Christians who was taken prisoner and was sentenced to death by beheading.

Death of Saint Paul:

There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Paul died in A.D. 64. Cause of Death: Beheaded. 

Why is Saint Paul the patron of Authors, Press, Publishers and Writers?

Because he was a prolific contributor to the New Testament from his fourteen letters largely written to churches that he had founded or visited.

How Saint Paul is represented in Christian Art:

It is helpful to be able to recognize Saint Paul in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Paul is represented in Christian Art as a man holding a sword and a book.