Peter was a native of Bethsaida, near
Lake Tiberias, the son of John, and worked, like his brother St. Andrew, as a
fisherman on Lake Genesareth.
He appointed the replacement of Judas
Iscariot; he spoke first to the crowds that had assembled after the descent of
the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; he was the first Apostle to perform miracles in
the name of the Lord; and he rendered judgment upon the deceitful Ananias and
Sapphira.
In Luke is recounted the story that
Peter caught so large an amount of fish that he fell down before the feet of
Jesus and was told by the Lord, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be
catching men".
What virtues he
models
His symbols include an inverted cross, a
boat, and the
cock.
While Peter's chief feast day is June
29, he is also honored on February 22 and November 18.
In liturgical art, he is depicted as an
elderly man holding a key and a book.
His importance to our Church
Prince of the Apostles, and founder
The
first Pope
He helped organize the Last Supper and
played a major role in the events of the Passion.
