• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
The Roman Guy

The Roman GuyThe Roman Guy

Italy Travel Experts Tours and Vacations

  • Destinations
    • Amalfi Coast & Pompeii
    • Amsterdam
    • Athens
    • Barcelona
    • Capri
    • Florence
    • Granada
    • Las Vegas
    • London
    • Madrid
    • Milan
    • New York City
    • Paris
    • Rome
    • San Francisco
    • Segovia
    • Tuscany
    • Vatican City
    • Venice
  • Attractions
    • 9/11 Memorial
    • Accademia Gallery
    • Acropolis
    • Alcázar of Segovia
    • Alhambra
    • Borghese Gallery
    • Buckingham Palace
    • Colosseum
    • Doge’s Palace
    • Eiffel Tower
    • Louvre Museum
    • The Met
    • Montserrat Monastery
    • Pantheon
    • Paris Catacombs
    • Sagrada Familia
    • Sistine Chapel
    • St. Mark’s Basilica
    • St. Peter’s Basilica
    • Statue of Liberty
    • The Last Supper
    • Tower of London
    • Uffizi Gallery
    • Vatican Museums
    • Versailles
    • Westminster Abbey
    • Windsor Castle
  • Shop Tours
  • Sign In
Home > Vatican City > St Peter's Basilica > What is St. Peter and Paul’s Day?

What is St. Peter and Paul’s Day?

Brandon Shaw Last Updated: November 16, 2022

Did you know that June 29th is St. Peter and Paul’s Day, an important feast day in the Catholic church? Roman schools and banks are closed and the city celebrates with both religious and secular festivities. Check out this blog to learn more about the two saints who are celebrated on this major Roman holiday.


Facts about St. Peter and St. Paul

St. Peter

St. Peter and Paul are both patron saints of Rome and considered cornerstones of the Church. St. Peter was one of the 12 apostles, as well as the first pope and founder of the Roman Church. He was martyred sometime around AD 64 in the circus of Nero. Since he was not a Roman citizen his death was crucifixion.

According to tradition, he requested to be crucified upside down because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same way as Jesus. He was buried in the Vatican Necropolis which was next to the Circus.

When the emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, he decided to build a church in the saint’s honor above his grave. We all know this church today as St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.   

St. Paul was also an apostle, responsible for much of the New Testament. Although he never met Jesus, he is widely acclaimed as one of the most important apostles who spread the word of Jesus and the nascent Christianity. 13 out of the 27 books of the bible are attributed to St. Paul.

During Nero’s persecution ofo the Christians, Paul was martyred as well. Since he was a Roman citizen his death was the more lenient beheading. According to tradition, his head bounced three times, creating a spring of water with each bounce. Today you can still visit a monastery and drink the water from these springs!

Why do we Celebrate St. Peter and Paul’s Day?

The Roman Guy Vatican tours

Why are St. Peter and Paul celebrated together? St. Peter and Paul’s day is the feast day that honors the martyrdom of the two saints, sometime between AD 64 and 68. While the church recognizes that they may not have died on the same day, tradition says that this is the day that they were both martyred in Rome by Emperor Nero.

The day is a solemnity or a feast day of the highest rank. This honor is reserved for only the most important events, like events in the lives of Jesus or Mary. Therefore this emphasizes just how important the two saints are to the Catholic faith.

How is St. Peter and Paul’s Day Celebrated?

view of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, Vatican, Italy

St. Peter and Paul’s Day is celebrated on June 29th. It is honored across the world, but it is only a major holiday in Rome. Schools, banks and stores are closed, as well as the Vatican, and the city is full of both religious and secular celebrations. The pope holds a mass in which he gives a pallium—a special vestment worn over the shoulders—to archbishops appointed in the past year.

The bronze statue of St. Peter in the Vatican is decorated with traditional attire, including a rich red robe, rings, and a crown. Other celebrations include flowers and fireworks.

You can see an elaborate carpet of flowers starting in St. Peter’s Square and leading down Via Della Conciliazione toward the River Tiber. In the evening, you can see fireworks set off at the Piazza del Popolo. They start at 9:30 p.m., but the festivities start long before that. 

Popular Vatican Tours

Best Selling Tour

Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel

This our most popular and longest-running Vatican tour to date. It enters the Vatican City & Museums an hour before the public opening and visits the Sistine Chapel as it opens. Admissions are included and our English-speaking guides do a wonderful job bringing the museums to life!

(254)

See Prices

Top Rated Tour

Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb Tour with Papal Tombs

Get the most out of your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica by joining a guided tour up to the top of the tallest dome in the world! Our tour includes all admissions including an elevator to the highest possible point and an English-speaking guide.

(37)

See Prices

All Vatican Tours

Here’s Where To Stay in Italy’s Most Popular Destinations

Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi Coast, and Capri

Rome

Best Hotels & Where to Stay

Amalfi Coast

Best Hotels & Where to Stay

Florence

Best Hotels & Where to Stay


  • The Best Tours of St. Peter's Basilica and Why + Maps
    The Best Tours of St. Peter’s Basilica and Why + Maps
  • How To Visit St Peter's Basilica: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More
    How To Visit St Peter’s Basilica: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and…
  • Is a Day Trip to POMPEII & AMALFI COAST from ROME Worth It?
    Is a Day Trip to POMPEII & AMALFI COAST from ROME Worth It?
  • 6 Amazing Day Trips from Rome
    6 Amazing Day Trips from Rome
  • 17 Top Things To See at St. Peter's Basilica
    17 Top Things To See at St. Peter’s Basilica
  • Is Climbing the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome Worth it?
    Is Climbing the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome Worth…

I Want More Italy!

  • If you want us to arrange the entertainment in Rome (and beyond!), contact our Trip Planning Team to coordinate an unforgettable Italian experience.
  • Check out our YouTube video and step-by-step guide about how to do Rome in a Day. If you’d rather let us guide you, check out our Rome tours.
  • Not sure where to stay in Rome? Read this guide!
  • Follow our adventures in Italy on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Then, comment and tell us what you want us to cover next.
  • Looking for awesome tips for cities all over Europe? Check out The Tour Guy Travel Blog!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

rome best view the tour guy

Want a great experience in Rome?

See our latest deals on Rome tours!

why the tour guy

Why The Roman Guy?

check mark

Top Rated Tour Company in Europe

check mark

Thousands of 5 star Customer Reviews

check mark

Providing Tours for 10+ Years

check mark

Best Access to the Monuments You Want to See

check mark

More Departure Times Each Day

See Rome Tours

Related Posts

  • The Best Tours of St. Peter's Basilica and Why + Maps
    The Best Tours of St. Peter's Basilica and Why + Maps
  • How To Visit St Peter's Basilica: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and More
    How To Visit St Peter's Basilica: Tickets, Hours, Tours, and…
  • Is a Day Trip to POMPEII & AMALFI COAST from ROME Worth It?
    Is a Day Trip to POMPEII & AMALFI COAST from ROME Worth It?
  • 6 Amazing Day Trips from Rome
    6 Amazing Day Trips from Rome
The best hotels in Rome

Best Rome Hotels
This Year!

Footer

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • In The Press
  • Contact Us
  • Travel Agents

POLICY & TERMS

  • Cancellation Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

CONTACT US

  • USA or Canada: +1 888 290 5595
  • Italy: +39 06 9480 4747
  • UK: +44 800 808 5370
  • Australia: +61 1300 113 254
  • France: +33 1 70700 898
  • Email: [email protected]

FIND US ON

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

WE ACCEPT

accept all major credit cards
secured payment

Copyright © 2023 The Roman Guy. All rights reserved.