History Series: Saints Peter and Paul Day
History of Saints Peter and Paul Day
One Holiday for Two of the Greatest Saints?
June 29 marks the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. It is a liturgical feast also called the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.
Why Not a Separate Feast Day for Each?
Each of these men is a major figure in the history of Christianity, and each is a significant contributor to the writings of the New Testament.
Wouldn’t you think they’d each get their own feast day?
In some places and at some times, they’ve each had their own celebration of sorts:
- The Feast of St. Paul’s Conversion is on January 25
- The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is on February 22
But this feast day recognizes their common martyrdom in Rome.
“One day is assigned for the celebration of the martyrdom of the two apostles. But those two were one. Although their martyrdom occurred on different days, they were one.” — St. Augustine of Hippo, Sermon 295
Tradition and Patron Saints
Allow me to digress for a moment to make a point; it will give perspective to the…
