SAINTS PETER & PAUL, APOSTLES

Sts. Matthew & Mark, Barrington

Friday, July 3, 2026

(Tr. from June 29)

 

 

According to reliable tradition, both Peter and Paul spent their last days in Rome. After they’d arrived separately and taken up residence, a momentous event took place in the year 64 AD during the reign of the Emperor Nero. On July 18^th, a Great Fire broke out and raged for five days, destroying large parts of the city.

 

In the days that followed, rumors spread that the fire was the result of arson instigated by Nero himself – either in a fit of madness or as part of a plan to clear space for his building projects. Nero needed to deflect such accusations quickly, and the city’s growing Christian population provided a convenient and vulnerable scapegoat.

 

According to the Roman historian Tacitus, the authorities rounded up a vast multitude of Christians. He writes: “Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.” The number of those who died in the persecution has been estimated as nearly a thousand.

 

According to one account, when the persecution broke out, Peter was escaping from the city when he met Jesus coming towards him, again wearing his crown of thorns, and carrying his cross. Astounded, Peter asked, “Domine, quo vadis?”—“Lord, where are you going?” Jesus responded, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” 

 

Peter then knew that he had to return to Rome, come what may. When he was sentenced to crucifixion, he requested that it be upside down, declaring himself unworthy to suffer the same death as his Savior. His body was buried on the Vatican Hill, in the place over which the high altar of Saint Peter’s Basilica now stands. 

 

Saint Paul likewise died a martyr in Rome at about the same time, possibly even on the same day. As a Roman citizen, Paul was granted the privilege of a quick death by beheading. The execution occurred three miles south of Rome, at a place known as the Three Fountains. Paul’s body was buried nearby at the place over which now stands the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

 

In the end, Peter and Paul died as they lived, bearing witness to Christ. Today’s commemoration affords us the opportunity to give thanks for their lives, witness, and teaching. May Saint Peter and Saint Paul pray for us; and may God grant us strength and courage to persevere until our lives’ end in the faith they handed down to us.