Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
In front of the Vatican Basilica there are statues of Peter and Paul. Peter holds the keys in his hands and Paul holds the sword. Christian tradition has always associated Peter and Paul. Although they were very different and their relationship was in conflicts some times, but both of them opted for Jesus. The radicalism of their change resulted in a new calling. Peter abandoned his fishing nets, and Paul stopped being the persecutor of Christians. Both received new names from the Lord Jesus. Simon was called Peter - Kefas the "rock" on which Christ built his church. Saul from his conversion was called Paul. Although none of them expected it, a sudden change occurred in their lives.
The feast of the Saints Apostles Peter and Paul has been celebrated together since the mid-third century to emphasize that both Apostles were co-founders of the first Christian community in Rome. Both of them gave their lives there, suffering martyrdom, during the persecution of Emperor Nero. Peter died around 64. Tradition tells us that he was crucified. Paul was imprisoned and beheaded with a sword probably in the year 67. The apostolic ministry of Peter and Paul in Rome and their martyrdom made the Roman Church very important to Christianity.
Recalling Saint Apostles Peter and Paul in one feast, the Church shows that in the community of believers there are different gifts and different ways of faith, but there is one goal. It accurately expresses the words of the preface for this day: " Sic diverso consilio unam Christi familiam congregantes, par mundo venerabile, una corona sociavit. - And so, each in a different way gathered together the one family of Christ; and revered together throughout the world, they share one Martyr’s crown." Polish writer Henryk Sienkieicza left us the wonderful novel Quo Vadis. And on this wonderful holiday, I would like to share with you the imagination of Henryk Sienkiewicz about the last moments of live of these two Apostles.
"And finally, the time for both Apostles was fulfilled. (...) The fisherman, usually humble and leaning, now walked upright, taller than the soldiers, full of seriousness. There was never so much majesty in his attitude. It would seem that the monarch is moving surrounded by people and soldiers.
Heads rose from all sides: "Behold, Peter is leaving to the Lord." Everyone has forgotten that he is going to suffer and die. They walked in solemn recollection, feeling that nothing so great had happened since Golgotha's death and that this had redeemed the whole world, that was to redeem this city. (...)
The procession finally stopped between the circus and the Vatican hill. The soldiers now began digging the pit, others laid a cross, hammers and nails on the ground, waiting for the preparations to be completed, and the crowd, quiet and focused, knelt around.
The apostle turned his head toward the city for the last time. Above, slightly down, the Tiber could be seen. On the other side, the Mars field. Above Augustus Mausoleum. The giant baths that Nero was about to erect began below.
Even lower Pompey Theater. And behind them visible places, covered up by other Saept Julia constructions, lots of porticoes, temples, columns, piled up buildings and finally, hills covered with houses in the distance, a huge human swarm, whose ends disappeared in the blue fog - the nest of crime, but also strength; madness, but also order, which became the head of the world; his oppressor, but also his law and peace, all-powerful, impassive, perpetual.
And Peter, surrounded by soldiers, looked at them as if the ruler and king were looking at his inheritance and said to them: "You are redeemed and mine." And no one, not only between the soldiers digging the pit into which the cross was to be put, but even among the followers, could not see that indeed the true ruler of this nation stands between them, the old man will rule here uninterrupted.
The sun was leaning even more towards Ostia and became large and red. The entire western side of the sky began to burn with an immense glow. The soldiers approached Peter to undress him. But he, praying, straightened up suddenly and stretched his right hand high. The torturers stopped as if intimidated by his action. The faithful also held their breath, thinking that he wanted to speak, but there was an undisturbed silence.
While standing on the hill, he began to make the sign of the cross with his extended right hand, blessing at the hour of his death: Urbi et orbi!
On the same wonderful evening, a different unit of soldiers led Paul from Tarsus along the Ostian road to the place called Aque Salvia. And he was followed by a group of believers whom he converted. (...) The road to the place of execution was long and the evening began to fall. (...) my age passed in teaching people such truth. And now he told himself in his soul: "What strength will it cope with and what will win it (Christ's love)? How can Caesar succeed in suppressing it, even if he had so many legions, twice as many cities and seas, lands and nations? " And he went for payment as a winner.
The retinue finally abandoned the great road and turned east on the winding path to Salvia Waters. The red sun lay on the heathers. The centurion stopped the soldiers next to the spring, because the moment had come.
But Paul, covering the Plautilla veil over his shoulders to blindfold himself, raised his eyes for the last time, full of immeasurable peace to the eternal evening light, and prayed. Yes! The moment had arrived, but he saw before him a great road from the auroras, leading to the sky, and in his soul he spoke to himself the same words that he had previously written in the sense of his fulfilled service and was near to the end:
“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance”. (2 Tm 4:7-8)
Until Tomorrow
fr. george