Saints Peter and Paul Day is annually observed on June 29. St. Peter and St. Paul, two martyrs of the Christian faith, are commemorated on this feast day. Although the church acknowledges that they may not have been executed at the same time, they were both put to death by Nero, the Roman emperor. The selected date is the traditional anniversary of their martyrdom and demise. The event is a religiously significant occasion in Rome, and the Catholic Church in England holds a festival in its honour. Masses are held throughout the globe to commemorate the day.
The background of Saint Peter and Saint Paul Day (Chile)
Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s Day is undoubtedly one of the earliest Christian feast days. In 2010, Peter and Paul paintings were discovered on the walls of the catacombs. The wall paintings date from the fourth century A.D. According to Christian beliefs, the holiday honours two saints. Peter was the first pontiff and the leader of the apostles. Paul, formerly known as Saul, was a Christian persecutor who converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus.
Emperor Nero commanded the execution of Saints Peter and Paul. It was believed that this incident occurred between 64 and 68 A.D. St. Peter was crucified with his head lowered because he did not believe he deserved to die alongside Jesus. Paul’s cause of death was unknown, but it was widely believed he was beheaded in Rome.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul’s Day is a public holiday in Rome, Ticino, Switzerland, and Malta. It is a holy day of obligation for the Latin Church, England, Scotland, and Wales, but not for the United States and Canada.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul Day public festivities were cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic. Catholics were advised to observe covid restrictions while celebrating at home.
Christians in coastal and island communities decorate their vessels and docks on June 29 in honour of Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen.
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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ST. PETER AND PAUL
Peter was one of the twelve apostles, the first pontiff, and the founder of the Roman Church.
St. Paul is the author of thirteen writings in the New Testament.
Peter and Paul are both patron saints of Rome and pillars of the Christian church.
Paul is a well-known apostle who spread the Christian gospel, but he never met Jesus Christ in person.
The Catholic church has seven sacred days of obligation, including Saints Peter and Paul Day.
SAINT PETER AND SAINT PAUL DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | June 29 | Thursday |
2024 | June 29 | Saturday |
2025 | June 29 | Sunday |
2026 | June 29 | Monday |
2027 | June 29 | Tuesday |