Ss. Peter and Paul

Ss. Peter and Paul are early leaders of the church. St. Peter, born with the name Simon, was a fisherman and an Apostle of Christ. Jesus named him Peter, which means rock, because Peter would be the foundation or “rock” of the church. St. Peter was a miracle worker who became the first pope. He was martyred circa 64; the saint was crucified with his head downward because he said he wasn’t worthy of dying the way Christ died. St. Peter is patron saint of fishermen, Rome and the papacy. St. Paul was born with the name Saul. He was a pharisee who persecuted Christians until he fell to the ground on the way to Damascus. He received a message saying he was persecuting Christ by persecuting Christians. After that, he converted to Christianity, changed his name to Paul and began to preach in various places. He was martyred for his faith circa 65. St. Paul is patron saint of writers, evangelists and missionary bishops.