St. Peter, the prince of the Apostles, was a fisherman from Bethsaida in Galilee. After being called he left everything to follow Christ ( Mark 1:17). At caesarea Philippin, Jesus changed his name of Simon into Peter (Rock). Peter was constantly at Jesus' side, and nonetheless denied him three times. And for three times Jesus asked Peter to confirm his love for him (John 21:15). After the Ascension, Peter directed the election of Matthias, and boldly proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah. After he Council of Jerusalem in 49, Peter went to preach the Gospel in Rome, where he was crucified downwards on Vatican Hill during the persecution in 64.
St. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, was a zealous Pharisee from Tarsus. He was converted on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:18), and thereafter preached the Good News throughout Asia and Greece, where he founded many churches. To these he wrote the so-called Letters of St. Paul, which are now listed in The New Testament. On his last visit to Jerusalem, he was arrested by fellow Jews and charged with blasphemy. being a Roman Citizen, he demanded to have his case decided by the emperor himself. He was beheaded along Ostiense Way in the year 64. Over the Shrines of the two greatest apostles, Constantine built the magnificent basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul.
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