St. Peter & St. Paul

The Acts of the Apostles paints a graphic picture of the lives of these bulwarks of the Faith. The first eight chapters focus on St. Peter and of Jerusalem, the center of the Church. The next chapters focus on St. Paul and the city of Antioch, which became a prominent place. Both saints offer their testimony to Christ in the fulness of obedience to the Holy Spirit speaking through them for the love and glory of Christ.

St. Peter was the spokesman of the Apostles and a witness of Christ’s Divinity. He delivered the first sermon on Pentecost resulting in thousands embracing the Faith in Christ. From Jerusalem, he preached in Antioch (Gal. 2:11) and became its first bishop, then to Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus and finally Rome.

St. Paul was the greatest missionary of the earliest Church. Following his conversion from a persecutor to an apostle, he spent his years traveling throughout the then-known world, establishing Churches and preaching the Gospel. To these, he wrote numerous letters which form a significant part of the New Testament canonical writings. He was imprisoned, shipwrecked, beaten and starved, and suffered greatly for His Master.

The two great pillars of the Church are said to have been martyred on the same day of the same year under the reign of Nero in Rome. According to Eusebius, Tertullian and Origen, St. Peter was crucified head downwards at his request while St. Paul, being a Roman citizen, was beheaded.

“Let us all laud the first heralds of the Word: Peter, the all-honored apostle among the twelve; and Paul, the fiery preacher of Christ’s dispensation; for crowned with wreaths of glory, they intercede in our behalf” (a hymn dedicated on their behalf).

“O Leaders of the Apostles and Teachers of the universe, pray to the Master of all to grant peace to the world and abundant mercy to our souls” (a hymn dedicated on their behalf).

In the icon, St. Peter holds the “keys of the kingdom” in his hand in accordance to Christ’s words to him in response to his confession of Him (Mt. 1616-19). For this, Christ gave the Church (through Peter) the keys of the kingdom of heaven that She should have authority with God to save men. Wherefore, it was not one man, but rather the One Katholik Church, that received these “keys” and the right “to bind and loosen” since our Lord gave this authority to all the disciples (the Church) – (Jn. 20:22-23 & Mt. 18:18). St. Paul is carrying his epistles. Both are depicted as such for St. Peter is the “Rock of Faith” while St. Paul is te “Pride of the Universe.”

Icon Size Details:

Small:  3.75” x 5” inches

Medium:  7.75” x 10.5” inches

Large:  10.5” x 14.5” Inches