Saint Peter (Simon Peter)

 

Feast Day: January 16

Peter (Greek: Πέτρος, Petros or "rock," Aramaic: Cephas; Dutchized Saint Peter); also called Simon Peter; (Galilee, date of birth unknown - Rome(?), ca. 64) was one of the twelve disciples (followers) / apostles (missionaries) of Jesus in Roman times. He is mentioned many times in the New Testament. To the Roman Catholic Church he is a saint. He was one of the first Christians in world history. Although he was a disciple of Jesus, he finally let Jesus fall on the eve of His crucifixion - despite loud words - by denying (betraying) Him three times. He also proclaimed His word after Jesus' death.

Peter's original name was Simon bar Jonah. He was a fisherman who lived near the Sea of Galilee. After his meeting with Jesus, he gave him the new name Peter (actually Cephas, but later translated into Greek as Peter).

The Acts of Peter, a writing that must have been written around the year 200, states that Peter visited Rome later in his life and became a leader of the early Christians there. He would also have been crucified here just like Jesus, with his head down at his own request. But in fact there is no evidence that Peter actually visited Rome.
Meaning

The word Peter means "rock." You can still hear it in the word petroleum. That means oil from the rocks or from the bedrock. Just before Jesus went to heaven (at the Ascension) he gave Simon (that was the name of the saint we now know as Peter) the name Peter. Peter became the first Pope. Jesus named him Rock because he wanted a Rock to build his church. He also gave the keys of heaven to Simon (Peter). According to Christianity, he has guarded the gates of heaven ever since and decides whether someone is admitted to heaven or has to go to hell.

Peter is the namesake of, among others, Saint Petersburg in Russia and of Saint Peter's Basilica (Saint Peter is the name given to him by Catholics) in Rome.
Pope?

The Roman Catholic Church sees Peter as the very first pope. He is said to have been the leader of the Christians in Rome, so he was also Bishop of Rome. The Roman Catholic Church also says that he was the most important apostle of Jesus. This may be true because when the apostles introduced themselves, Peter was always the first to do so and he always spoke for the apostles. In his day people did not call him Pope, but Bishop of Rome or Patriarch. Together with the patriarchs of Antioch and those of Alexandria, he led the Church. His successors eventually became the Popes, so you can call him the first Pope. However, in his time he was not.
Legend

There is a legend that says that if there ever comes another pope who calls himself Peter, the world will end. It is unclear where this myth comes from.