Saint Peter

**Saint Peter** is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is often talked about in the New Testament of the Bible across the different Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John).

## Overview

Most of what we know about Peter comes from the Bible. In the Gospel it is written that Jesus Christ would make Peter the "rock" (foundation) of the Church (Gospel of Matthew 16:18, _you are Peter (rock), and upon this rock I will build my church_).

It is not known when Peter was born, but the date of his death is said to be about the year 64 AD. He died by being nailed to a cross in Rome, the modern capital of Italy. This type of death is called crucifixion.

According to the apocrypha's _Acts of Peter_, Peter asked to be crucified upside down, as he felt unworthy to die as Jesus did. Most historical sources only say that he was crucified this way.

## Historicity

The historical accuracy of the accounts of Peter's role in Rome is a matter of ongoing debate.

Paintings from later centuries often show him holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven – a reference to Matthew . Peter was married according to the Gospel of Mark. The name of his wife is unknown.

## Saint and Pope

The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Lutheran Churches, as well as the Anglican Communion, consider Simon Peter a saint. Roman Catholics believe that the Pope is Peter's successor. For this reason, he is the rightful head of all other bishops. Eastern and Oriental Orthodox also recognise the Bishop of Rome as the successor to Saint Peter and the Ecumenical Patriarch sends a delegation each year to Rome to participate in the celebration of his feast.

### _Ravenna document_

In the _Ravenna document_ of 13 October 2007, representatives of the Eastern Orthodox Church agreed that

Christian tradition says Saint Peter was the first leader of an early apostolic community for at least 34 years. Back then, the word Pope or "Papa" was not used to name the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. At that time there was only one Christian Church. Later, the Roman Catholic Church would say that Peter was their first Pope. Tradition also locates his burial place where St. Peter's Basilica was later built, in Vatican City.

## Related pages

- Twelve Apostles

## Infobox (christian leader)

- **type**: Apostle
- **honorific-prefix**: Pope Saint
- **name**: Apostle Peter
- **title**: Twelve Apostles, Apostle, Pope, Patriarch, and Martyr
- **image**: Saint Peter A33446.jpg
- **church**: Early Christianity, Early Christian Great Church
- **see**: * First bishop of Rome (pope), according to Catholicism, Catholic tradition
* First Bishop of Antioch (patriarch), according to Eastern Christianity, Eastern Christian tradition
- **ordination**: AD 33
- **term start**: AD 30
- **term end**: between AD 64 and 68
- **successor**: *Bishop of Diocese of Rome, Rome (according to tradition): Pope Linus, Linus
* Bishop of Antioch (according to tradition): Evodius
- **ordained by**: Jesus, Jesus Christ
- **birth name**: Shimon (Simeon, Simon)
- **birth place**: Bethsaida, Gaulanitis, Syria, Roman Empire
- **death date**: between AD 64 and 68 (aged 62–67)
- **death place**: Rome, Roman Empire
- **parents**: John (or Jonah; Jona)
- **occupation**: Fisherman, clergyman
- **venerated**: All Christian denomination, Christian denominations
- **canonized date**: Pre-Congregation
- **attributes**: Keys of Heaven, Red Martyr, pallium, papal vestments, rooster, man crucified upside down, vested as an Apostle, holding a book or scroll, Cross of Saint Peter. Icon, Iconographically, he is depicted with a bushy white beard and white hair.
- **patronage**: #Patronage, Patronage list
- **shrine**: St. Peter's Basilica