SAINT PETER'S DAY AND SAINT PAUL'S DAY

Celebrate St Peter's Day on 29th June
Brief History of the Life of St Peter, First Leader of the Apostles

Saint Peter was a fisherman and one of the disciples of Jesus, and many say he was one of the most important and best remembered of the disciples. His given name was Simon, and in the Gospel of John it says he was born in Bethsaida, a city east of the river Jordan.

As an adult, St. Peter lived on the banks of Lake Galilee in the village of Capernaum with his family. At this time Galilee was part of the Roman Empire and life would have been hard for a fisherman, however Capernaum was a thriving centre and he would possibly have owned his own boat and hired people to help with selling the fish.

When Jesus came to Simon and asked him to join his ministry, he agreed immediately. His name was changed by Jesus, to Peter which means "rock." This is taken to be the foundation or stability of faith.