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 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?
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?
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
Here’s Where To Stay in Italy’s Most Popular Destinations
Rome, Florence, Venice, Amalfi Coast, and Capri
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!
Leave a Comment