St.
Peter the Apostle
Peter, originally called Simon, was one of Jesus Twelve
Apostles.
Little is known about Peter before he meets Jesus,
other than that he was the son of Jona, was born in
Bethsaida, and was living and working as a fisherman in
Capernaum with his brother Andrew.
Jesus called the brothers to be two of his first Apostles.
This distinction of Apostles is important because it
gave the twelve pride of place in relation to Jesus.
Jesus gave him the name Peter, when he called Peter
Cephas (or the rock) on which he would build his church.
Cephas comes from the Aramaic word Kepa, which means
rock. The Greek translation of Kepa is Petros, or Peter in
English.
What is the apostle Peter known for?
Peter is known for being a leader of Jesus' 12 Apostles.
He is also known for denying Jesus three times after
Jesus was arrested and for leading the early Church after
Jesus' death.
How did Peter become an apostle?
Peter and his brother Andrew were working as
fishermen when Jesus called them to join his ministry.
The brothers left behind their fishing nets and joined
Jesus to become "fishers of men."
Peter was also the first Bishop of Rome.
Facts about Saint Peter
Fact 1 - He is known as Saint Peter the Apostle
Fact 2 - He is the Patron Saint of Fishermen
Fact 3 - He was born at Bethsaida, near the Sea of
Galilee
Fact 4 - His name was originally Simon
Fact 5 - Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was first a
follower of John the Baptist and then became the first
apostle of Jesus
Fact 6 - Andrew introduced Simon Peter to Jesus
Fact 7 - The name Peter, meaning 'rock', was selected
by Jesus to indicate the he would be the rock-like
foundation on which the Church would be built.
Fact 8 - Peter was a faithful follower of Jesus although
at the Last Supper Jesus predicted that Peter would
deny him three times following his death saying
"Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock
crow, thou shalt deny me thrice."
Fact 9 - At the time of the arrest of Jesus, Peter cut off
the ear of a servant of the high priest but then went on,
as predicted, to deny that he knew Jesus three times
Fact 10 - Peter became a missionary and returned to
Rome in 63/64AD
Fact 11 - In 64 AD the Roman Emperor Nero set fire to
Rome and blamed the Christians for its destruction
Fact 12 - He was one of the Christians who was arrested
and was sentenced to death by crucifixion.
Fact 13 - He died on in A.D. 64 when he was crucified with
his head downwards because he did not consider himself
worthy to die in the same manner and posture as Jesus
Peter's Witness to Miracles
Jesus cures Peter's mother-in-law, who was
suffering from a high fever.
Jesus feeding of the 5,000. In this story, Jesus
takes two fish and five loaves of bread and
multiplies them to feed the crowd.
The Apostles are on a boat, waiting for
Jesus to return from praying. The water
is rough and is tossing the boat around.
The Apostles see someone walking on
the water, coming toward them. They
are afraid, thinking they are seeing a
ghost, until Jesus calls out and
identifies himself.
Peter responds, "'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you
on the water'" (Matthew 14:28). Jesus calls Peter to him, but as
Peter steps out onto the water, he panics and begins to sink.
Jesus catches him but also chastises him for his doubt and
lack of faith.
Peter's Denial
Even though Jesus has given Peter such responsibility,
he predicts that Peter will deny knowing him. As Jesus
shares a meal with his disciples at the Last Supper, he
tells them that before the night is over Peter will deny him
three times.Soon after, Jesus is arrested and taken to the
home of the high priest. Peter follows and waits outside in
the courtyard. Three times Peter is asked if he knows
Jesus, and three times Peter denies any association with
him.
His execution was ordered by the Roman Emperor
Nero, who blamed the city's Christians for a terrible
fire that had ravaged Rome. Peter requested to be
crucified upside down, as he felt unworthy to die in
the same manner as Christ.
This is how St. Peter Crucified as he requested,
he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as
Christ.
THANKS!
