The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul ends the Apostles’ Fast with a bold reminder: God can change anyone, use anyone, and unite everyone in His mission. These two great apostles still speak to our daily struggles—and call us to live the faith with courage and unity.
What Is the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul?
The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul is one of the oldest feast days in the Christian calendar. It has been celebrated since at least the end of the fourth century. It commemorates the martyrdom of the holy apostles Peter and Paul in the city of Rome under Emperor Nero.
Why this day matters:
- It marks the end of the Apostles' Fast, a time of repentance and spiritual preparation.
- It is considered a solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul in the Orthodox Church and a holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church.
- The Divine Liturgy on this day includes special scripture readings from the New Testament, highlighting the legacy of these two teachers of the universe.
1. What Is the Story of St. Peter and St. Paul?
Before they became the pillars of the church of Christ, Saint Peter and Saint Paul lived very different lives. Their stories show us how God calls each of us in unique ways.
The Story of Saint Peter
The Story of Saint Peter
Saint Peter, originally named Simon, was a humble fisherman in Galilee. He was called by the Lord Jesus Christ to follow Him. And it was Christ who gave him the name Cephas, meaning "rock" (John 1:42). Peter became the most outspoken of the disciples and was often seen as their leader.
Despite his boldness, he denied Christ three times during the Passion. But he repented with tears. And after the Resurrection, Christ restored him, asking Peter three times, "Do you love Me?" (John 21). After Pentecost, Peter preached boldly in Jerusalem, converting thousands. He traveled, healed in Christ’s name, and suffered persecution until he was crucified upside down in Rome—by his own request—during the reign of Emperor Nero. His tomb lies beneath the basilica of St. Peter. Which remains one of the most significant religious symbols in the Orthodox Church and beyond.
The Story of Saint Paul
The Story of Saint Paul
St. Paul, on the other hand, began as Saul—a Pharisee who persecuted Christians. On his way to Damascus, he encountered the risen Christ and underwent a complete transformation. This moment, known as the conversion of St. Paul, marked the start of his mission to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles.
He traveled a great distance across the Roman Empire, founded Christian communities, and wrote many New Testament epistles. His teachings shaped the theology of the early Church. Like Peter, he was martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero. Tradition says he was beheaded outside the city. And today, the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls marks his burial site.
Their journeys—so different and yet so united—are why the Church celebrates them together in the feast of ss Peter and Paul. Their legacy continues to shape the church today and reminds us that the unity of the Holy Spirit is possible, even through very different people.
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Apostles Peter and Paul Icon - Greek Orthodox Byzantine Icon
Buy Now →2. Why Are St. Peter and St. Paul Important?
Saint Peter and Saint Paul are central figures in the life of the Church not just because of who they were, but because of what they accomplished through their faith and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.
What made Saint Peter important?
What made Saint Peter important?
Saint Peter played a crucial role in the early Church of Christ as a spiritual leader and preacher. He was entrusted by Christ with the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19), which the Orthodox Church understands as a sign of his pastoral authority. After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter boldly preached the first sermon, converting 3,000 people in a single day (Acts 2). This event marks the visible beginning of the Church’s mission in the world.
Peter also guided the early Christian communities through theological challenges and persecutions. His leadership was not rooted in perfection but in repentance and obedience. He is honored as the head of the apostles and a visible sign of the Church's unity. His martyrdom in Rome, by crucifixion upside down, made him a witness not only in life but also in death. Today, his burial place beneath the basilica of St. Peter remains one of the holiest sites in all of Christendom.
What made Saint Paul important?
What made Saint Paul important?
St. Paul is known as the Church’s greatest missionary. Following his dramatic conversion of St. Paul on the road to Damascus, he traveled tirelessly across the Roman Empire, establishing Christian communities and guiding them through his epistles. His letters—nearly half of the New Testament—are foundational to Orthodox theology, Christian ethics, and church life.
Paul’s ability to articulate the Gospel message in a way that resonated across cultures made him a true teacher of the universe. He defended the inclusion of the Gentiles in the Church, helping shape the universal Church that exists today. Like Peter, he was martyred in Rome, and his tomb is located at the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
Their accomplishments—Peter’s foundational preaching and leadership, and Paul’s theological brilliance and missionary reach—continue to guide the Orthodox Church. Together, they laid the cornerstone for the Christian faith through their sacrifice, teachings, and unwavering love for Almighty God
3. Why Are St. Peter and St. Paul Always Together?
Now that we understand their significance, you may wonder why Saint Peter and Saint Paul are always celebrated together.
The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul reminds us that the Church is built on unity in diversity. Though they were very different men, they shared one mission: to bring the world to Christ.
Their unity teaches us:
- Faith isn't one-size-fits-all. The Church of St. Paul and the Church of St. Peter are one universal Church.
- Unity doesn't mean agreement on everything. Their disagreements, like at the Council of Jerusalem, show us that conflict, when handled with humility, can strengthen the Church.
- We need both prayerful leaders and active missionaries in the life of the Church.
This unity is also what we reflect on during the Apostles’ Fast. As we struggle against our passions, we are reminded that we do not fast alone. We fast with the entire Church, and we fast for the same unity, humility, and boldness these two holy apostles displayed.
Why are St. Peter and St. Paul important to Christianity?
The importance of Saint Peter and Saint Paul isn’t just rooted in what they did long ago. It’s about how their lives continue to shape the way we live the Christian faith today.
Their witness reminds us that the Church is not built on perfection, but on transformation, obedience, and love for Almighty God. Saint Peter, often honored as the first pope and the visible head of the Church, teaches us about repentance, restoration, and the courage to lead even after failure. Saint Paul, once a fierce persecutor of Christians, shows us that no one is beyond God's mercy and that our past doesn't disqualify us from living a holy life.
Their teachings—preserved in the New Testament and alive in the Orthodox Church—still guide us today:
- Peter calls us to return to Christ when we fall, to stay close to the sacraments, and to guide others with humility and love.
- Paul urges us to study Scripture, share the Good News, and stand firm in faith, even when it costs us something.
In a world full of noise, distraction, and division, these two great apostles remind us what truly matters: unity in Christ, faithfulness to the truth, and a life rooted in sacrificial love. Their shared feast day, celebrated at places like St. Peter’s Basilica and the church of St. Paul, isn’t just a date in the Christian calendar. It’s a call to action.
Whether you’re a student, parent, convert, or simply trying to grow closer to God, their example speaks to all of us. Their lives prove that with God’s grace, holiness is not only possible—it’s expected.
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Apostles Peter and Paul Icon - Greek Orthodox Byzantine Icon
Buy Now →Why Do Saint Peter and Saint Paul Have the Same Feast Day?
To understand this feast more clearly, we need to see why the Church commemorates Saint Peter and Saint Paul together. Although they suffered martyrdom on different days and in different ways, they died around the same time in the city of Rome under Emperor Nero.
June 29th:
- Chosen as their shared feast day to honor their joint witness.
- Their deaths—Peter on the Vatican Hill (where St. Peter's Basilica now stands), and Paul near the Tomb of St. Paul—became sacred places.
- The feast of saints Peter and Paul became a liturgical feast celebrated throughout the universal Church by the sixth century.
Ending the Apostles’ Fast on this day reminds us that fasting is not just about denial, but about preparation. These two great saints didn’t just preach the Good News—they gave everything for it. Their lives are a call for us to live the true faith with conviction.
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Final Take Away
The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul isn’t just one more date on the Christian calendar. It is a spiritual anchor, a celebration of what it means to be part of the universal Church. And for my family, it’s deeply personal. Peter is my patron saint—and my middle name. Paul is my wife’s patron saint. From the beginning of our journey into Orthodoxy, both saints have guided us—even before we knew to call on them.
Today, I still turn to them in my daily prayers. I don’t just ask for their intercession—I ask them to help me walk in humility and boldness, just as they did. They’ve shaped my spiritual life in quiet but profound ways, especially during the Apostles’ Fast, when their lives call us back to prayer, sacrifice, and trust in God’s mission. They preached, they suffered, and they died so that the church of Christ could reach us. We are here today because of their faithfulness.
So as you break your Apostles’ Fast, go to Divine Liturgy, or pray a traditional prayer, remember: the blessed apostles Peter and Paul are still working for your salvation. May their prayers guide us, and may we, like them, finish the good fight.
Leave a comment below or share how the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul have inspired your walk with Christ.
And if you’re looking for something fast-friendly for the feast, check out our latest recipes too!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the Acts of the Apostles and letters in the New Testament, Saint Peter and Saint Paul had theological disagreements during the early Church. Paul publicly rebuked Peter in Antioch for withdrawing from Gentile Christians (Galatians 2). They both participated in the Council of Jerusalem, helping to define how Gentiles could join the church of Christ. They reconciled despite these tensions and faced martyrdom in Rome—united in their faith and love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Church has observed the date of June 29th since the earliest times. It is a day to honor the martyrdom of apostle Peter, and later apostle Paul, in the city of Rome. Tradition holds that they died around the same time under Emperor Nero. Though they were martyred on different days, the universal Church chose to commemorate them together to highlight their joint legacy and mission. As St. Augustine of Hippo said: "One day is assigned for the two apostles, but these two were one."
Apostle Peter was originally a fisherman, renamed Cephas (Peter) by Christ. He led the disciples with a passionate heart and strong leadership. Especially to the Jewish people. Saint Paul, originally Saul of Tarsus, was a Roman citizen, well-educated, and known for his missionary zeal among the Gentiles. Peter reminds us that God uses the imperfect; Paul shows us that conversion is always possible. Their differences help us appreciate how God works through many kinds of people to build the life of the Church.
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