St. Peter
One of the twelve disciples of Jesus, noted for his impulsive nature. More incidents are related of him in the Gospels than of any other disciple. He was first called Simon, but Jesus changed his name and addressed to him the words on which the authority of the Papacy is based "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock (Lat. petra, "rock") I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it; I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven."
At the time of his Master's trial, Peter denied three times that he knew him before the cock crew, as he had been warned that he would. After the crucifixion he became the "Apostle to the Gentiles" and many of his missionary activities are related in the Acts. He figures in numerous popular tales as the keeper of the door to Heaven, to whom saints and sinners present themselves for admittance.
Peter is the patron saint of fishermen, having been himself a fisherman. His day is June 29, and he is usually represented as an old man, bald, but with a flowing beard, dressed in a white mantle and blue tunic, and holding in his hand a book or scroll. His peculiar symbols are the keys and a sword. Tradition tells that he confuted Simon Magus, who was at Nero's court as a magician, and that in 66 he was crucified with his head downwards at his own request, as he said he was not worthy to suffer the same death as our Lord.
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