Feast of St. Peter (Hido Mor Phetros)

Feast of St. Peter (Hido Mor Phetros)

June 29th is the Feast of St. Peter (Hido Mor Phetros) according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Phetros was a fisherman from Bethsaida Galilee & originally named Simeon. Peter was married, & he had a daughter. Peter is the Greek translation for the Aramaic name Kepha (which means rock). Christ says, "You are Simon, the son of Jona: you shall be called Ce-phas” (John 1:42). "I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Mathew 16:18After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the napkin that had been around His head (John 20:7) was handed over to St. Peter (Mor Mushe Bar Kifo’s 'Easter Instruction' Chapter 18). Mor Dionysius Bar Salibi has recorded that St. Peter used this napkin as a headdress or headgear (Koobatho). In the time immediately after the Ascension, Peter stood as the unquestionable head of the Apostles. He spoke first to the crowds that had assembled after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; he was the first Apostle to perform miracles in the name of the Lord (commemorated every year in the Church Calendar as Golden Friday/'Rubto D'Dab'ho) Peter escaped from the imprisonment of Herod Agrippa with the aid of an Angel. Thereafter, he preached the Gospel in different regions, ordained Bishops, & established churches at several places. Peter presided over the synod held at Jerusalem in AD51. He left Antioch in AD60 towards Rome, where Emperor Nero was persecuting Christians. On the way to Rome, St. Peter met St. Paul. They together went to Rome to strengthen the followers. They were later imprisoned together until St. Peter's martyrdom during the final year of Emperor Nero's reign. St. Peter was crucified upside-down. This was at his own request, as he wanted to kiss the feet of his Master, & feeling unworthy to share the same death as the Lord. This is recorded by Church father & historian Eusebius. The evening prayers of the Syriac Orthodox Church phanqitho on the feast of St. Peter also affirm this description. Thus he attained the crown of martyrdom. His dukhrono is celebrated along with St. Paul on June 29th every year, marking the end of the Apostles Fast (Sawme d'S'hlihe). Mor Phetros' ardent belief in the Lord (Mathew 14:28), confession of faith (Mathew 16:16), & anxiety about the wellbeing of Jesus Christ (John 18:10), are all evident in the Gospels. The liturgy & sacraments of the Syriac Orthodox Church proclaim the primacy of St. Peter. He is the head of & first among the disciples of Christ. The name of Peter appears first in the list of Apostles. Peter presided over the meeting convened for the election of Mattias, the 12th Apostle. He was behind organizing the Church at Antioch & Rome. St. Peter established the Holy See of Antioch on February 22 AD 37 (which is commemorated in the Church Calendar).The believers were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:26). Thus the holy throne of Antioch has a special place in Christendom. The successor of Mor Phetros is known as His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff Moran Mor Ignatius, Patriarch of Antioch and all the East and the Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church. Currently, HH Mor Ignatius Aphrem II sits as the 122nd successor to the Holy Throne of St. Peter.Biography adapted from, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' May the prayers of the Holy Apostle Mor Phetros be with us all. May the Lord be pleased with our fasting, and may He show mercy upon us. May the memory of the Holy Apostle be honored in Heaven as here on Earth. Oh Mor Phetros s'hleeho! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen.The Holy Bible readings from the Church Lectionary:Evening:Matthew 16:13-20Morning:Matthew 19:27-30Before Holy Qurbono:Genesis 12:1-9Jeremiah 16:16-21I Kings 8:1-6Daniel 1:1-9Isaiah 43:1-14Holy Qurbono:Acts 1:12-14I Corinthians 12:28-13:10Matthew 20:1-16Tone of the Day: 5Malayalam huthomo for the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul (Hido Mor Phetros u Mor Phawlos): https://youtu.be/ReXbCUozhVs