Prayer: O God, who didst give such grace unto thy holy Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, that they were enabled to bear witness to the the truth by their death: Grant unto thy Church that, as in the beginning it was enlightened by their teaching, so it may continue in the same unto the coming of our Lord  Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen
                                                                                                                                             (B.C.P. 1962)

On June 29 the Church celebrates the feast day of the Sts. Peter and Paul.  Peter, who was named Simon, was a fisherman of Galilee.  Peter was a bold follower of the Lord.  He was the first to recognize that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and eagerly pledged his fidelity until death.  Peter was chose to shepherd God’s flock.  The Acts of the Apostles illustrates his role as head of the Church after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ.

St. Paul was the Apostle of the Gentiles.  His letters are included in the writings of the New Testaments, and through them we learn much about his life and the faith of the early Church.

Saul’s conversion took place as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christian community there.  As he was traveling along the road, he was suddenly surrounded by a great light from heaven.  He was blinded and fell off his horse.  He then heard a voice saying to him “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He answered, “Who are you, Lord?” Christ said: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

And so we celebrate this day made holy for us by the apostles’ blood.  Let us embrace what they believed, their life, their labors, their sufferings, their preaching, and their confession of faith.