June 29, is the Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul. Shown together
on this icon, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, became Apostles in different
Peter was chosen by Christ, and was with Him during His earthly
ministry. Paul, who was a terrible persecutor of Christians, was
converted to Christianity later.
Both sealed with their blood the testimony of their faith. Peter
was crucified, head downward in Rome on June 29th. On that same
day, Paul was beheaded also in Rome. Their martyrdom occured in
the year 67 A.D. during the persecution of Christians under the
Roman Emperor Nero. Saint Peter who was crucified on the cross as
was Jesus, chose to be crucified upside down, because he felt unworthy
to share the same manner of death as Christ.