STS. PETER AND PAUL (JUNE 29TH)

 

Sts. Peter and Paul Reconciling

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Today, we celebrate the two founders of the Gentile Church, which God used to bring the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. St. Peter opened up the initial discussion about gentile converts in the Church in Acts 10. Later, St. Paul took up this mission (Acts 13:44-14:7; Galatians 1:15-16), and although he had a different philosophy and approach (Galatians 2:11-14), they both worked to build the Church and plant missions throughout the Greek-speaking world. They both died in Rome, and their churches were increasingly united in a single Christian identity, upon which the Ancient Church based its understanding of Doctrine and Apostolic Succession, forming the Catholicity and Orthodoxy of the Church. 

Scenes from the Ministries of Sts. Peter and Paul, From an Anglocatholic Missal Header

COLLECT 

ALMIGHTY GOD, Whose blessed Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul glorified Thee by their martyrdom: Grant that Thy Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by Thy Holy Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation of the Faith once delivered, which only in Thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord; Who livest and reignest with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.