[[Image:Basilica SP.jpg|right|thumb|The basilica's dome by Michelangelo is the largest dome in the world.]]
'''Peter''' (Saint Peter in [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] traditions}, Prince of the Apostles, born Simon ([[Book of Acts |Acts]] 15:14; 2 Peter 1:1), in Bethsaida ([[Gospel of John |John]] 1:42, 44), a town on Lake Genesareth, [[Galilee]], (Now [[Israel]]). Son of Jonah, he became a disciple of [[Jesus]] c. 30 AD. St. Peter and his brother, [[Andrew ]] were fishermen. Peter demonstrated the greatest [[faith]] in the history of the world, second only to [[Jesus]] and [[Mary]]. He was the first to recognize that Jesus was the Christ, and never wavered from that faith. Only Peter with his immense faith was able to walk on tumultuous waters, undertaken by him despite his likely inability to swim.<ref>Traditionally fishermen did not learn how to swim.</ref> When Jesus was seized for the [[Passion]], Peter drew his sword amid armed Roman soldiers and struck one in order to protect Jesus. By tradition, when Peter was crucified he insisted on greater suffering by being crucified upside-down, in respect for Jesus's [[Crucifixion]].
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''“Come with me, and I will make you fishers of men.”'' Jesus calling him and his brother Andrew to be disciples. ''“You are Peter, the Rock; and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall never conquer it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven .”'' ([[Gospel of Matthew |Matthew]] 16:18-20).
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St. Peter taught in [[Jerusalem]], [[Palestine]] and [[Samaria]]. He preached also in Lydda, Joppa and Caesarea; after, he went to Asia Minor and lived in [[Corinth]]. For the last part of his life St. Peter stayed in [[Rome]].
He St. Peter was crucified in Rome (67?) but, out of his respect for [[Jesus]], St. Peter requested and obtained an upside-down crucifixion, with his head agonizingly pointed downwards at Rome (67?). The brutal, under anti-Christian Nero was the Roman Emperor at the time. This was recorded by the historian [[NeroOrigen]]. The remains <br> Peter's remains were placed at a magnificent basilica erected at the foot of the [[Vatican]] Hill.
== Life ==
Peter was son of Jona (or Jonah) <ref>Matt 16:17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016:17;&version=31;</ref>, and his mother's name was never mentioned in the bible. His brother was [[Andrew]], another of Jesus' twelve disciples. Peter's name used to be Simon (or Simeon) but one day Andrew brought Peter to Jesus <ref>John 1:41 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:41;&version=31;</ref> and there Jesus appointed him his new name. "Thou shalt be called Cephas," an Aramaic surname whose Greek synonym is Petros, or Peter, meaning "a rock" or "stone." <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:42;&version=31;</ref>
Very little is known of Simon Peter's wife. She is only mentioned in was married as can be inferred from [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]] 4:38, when Peter wife's mother -in-law is taken with a great fever, and Jesus heals her. As with most of the Disciples, very little is known about his personal life as they wanted the focus to be on Jesus and his ministry.
Peter lived in [[Bethsaida]], along the western coast of the [[Sea of Galilee]]. [[Philip]], another of Jesus' twelve, also lived there. Brought up here, Peter was trained to be a fisher. He and Andrew were also taught throughout their lives the upcoming prophecy of the [[Messiah]] and studied the scriptures. Later in his life, he lived in [[Capernaum]], where his mother and Andrew lived with him. <ref>"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:29;&version=31;"</ref> Peter was also married,<ref>"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%208:14;&version=31;"</ref> and his wife most likely accompanied him on his travels. <ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209:5;&version=31;</ref>
Peter, while in [[Rome]] around 67 AD, died a [[martyr]]. Jesus had predicted the violent death Peter would die, <ref>"http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2021:18,19;&version=31;"</ref> and his crucifixion in Rome is said to be the prophesy coming true. At the [[crucifixion]], Peter asked to be crucified upside down, believing he didn't deserve to die the same way Christ his savior had died. He is identified as the first [[popePope]] of the Roman [[Catholic Church]].
{{DEFAULTSORT== In art and literature ==[[Image:Gesupietrochiave.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Jesus presenting St Peterwith the keys to Heaven (detail) (painting by [[Pietro Perugino]]).]]In [[art]], SaintSt Peter is usually depicted as a white-haired, bearded man in a blue robe, often holding a key or keys, which refer to Matthew 16:19. Following on from this, many paintings and literary accounts of [[Heaven]] show him stationed at the gate. There are traditionally two keys, one gold and one silver, representing the two conditions necessary for [[salvation]]: the silver key represents repentance, which comes from the person concerned; and the gold key represents forgiveness, which comes from God<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2964/homily-21sunday-a.html Two keys gold and silver]</ref>. In the ''[[Divine Comedy]]'', St Peter appears twice, playing two different symbolic roles. He first appears at the gate of [[Purgatory]], in his traditional capacity as gatekeeper of Heaven (since all who enter Purgatory will eventually make it to Paradise). His second appearance is in the eighth sphere of the [[Paradiso]], where he examines [[Dante]] on the [[virtue]] of [[faith]]. St Peter's feast day is the 29 June, which he shares with [[St Paul]]. These two saints are often depicted together, as the two foremost figures in the church immediately after Jesus' [[Ascension]]<ref>For example, the two sculptures at the end of the main aisle of the Basilica of St Paul Without the Walls in Rome.</ref>.{{Clear}}
== See also ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Peter, Saint}}
{{DEFAULTSORT: Peter, St.DivineComedy}}
[[Category:Popes]]
[[Category:Saints]]
[[Category:Martyrs]]
[[Category:Catholic Church]]