Life
The Holy Apostles Peter and Paul are celebrated together as the “Supreme Apostles” — the two greatest pillars of the Church of Christ who, each in his own way, built and spread Christianity throughout the world of their time.
Saint Peter (originally Simon, son of Jonah) was a fisherman from the Sea of Galilee from the town of Bethsaida. Together with his brother Andrew, he cast his nets and came to Christ as soon as He called them. Peter was a fervent, direct, and strong man — the first to speak, the first to confess Christ as “the Son of the living God,” but also the first who, out of fear, denied Him three times on the night before the Crucifixion. It was precisely those three denials and the subsequent threefold question from Christ — “Simon, lovest thou Me?” — that marked Peter’s repentance and renewal. After the Resurrection and Pentecost Peter led the apostles in Jerusalem, traveled through Asia Minor, Antioch, and Rome, where he was finally crucified — at his own request, upside down, considering himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ.
Saint Paul (originally Saul of Tarsus in Cilicia) was a Pharisee and a zealous persecutor of Christians — he was present at and consented to the stoning of the first martyr Stephen. But on the road to Damascus a heavenly light enveloped him and a voice was heard: “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” That encounter with the Risen Christ transformed Paul completely. After his baptism and years of preparation, he became an incomparable missionary who traveled the entire Mediterranean world — Asia Minor, Greece, Macedonia, Italy — founding Christian communities and writing the Epistles that form a significant part of the New Testament. His theological thought on salvation, grace, and faith has shaped Christian theology to the present day. Under Emperor Nero, around 67, he was beheaded in Rome.
Both apostles suffered martyrdom in Rome during the Neronian persecutions, around 64–68. Their relics were preserved and venerated together in Rome, which is why the Church celebrates these two together on June 29 by the Old Calendar — the day when the joint commemoration of their relics was established in Rome in early Christianity.
Tropar (Tone 4)
O Supreme Apostles, teachers of the whole universe, entreat the merciful God to grant our souls great mercy.
Kontakion (Tone 2)
Thou didst take to Thyself the sure and God-inspired heralds, the chief of Thine Apostles, O Lord, and didst receive their labors and their death as a sweet-smelling offering above all. For Thou didst accept their labors and their death more than any sacrifice of ours, Thou Who alone knowest the secrets of our hearts.
About the Feast
Petrovdan falls on July 12 by the New (Gregorian) calendar, corresponding to June 29 by the Old (Julian) calendar. It is one of the most beloved summer patron feasts in Serbia. This feast comes immediately after the end of the Apostles’ Fast (the Petrov Fast), which runs from Pentecost until the eve of Petrovdan — meaning that the feast meal also marks the joyful conclusion of the fast.
On Petrovdan fish is traditionally permitted, and many families prepare baked or fried fish alongside the slava bread and koljivo. Saint Peter is venerated as the patron of fishermen, so fish is especially fitting on this feast table. Meat dishes are also prepared since the fast has ended.
Petrovdan is a summer feast — it falls in full summer, in July, and celebrations are often organized outdoors in courtyards, gardens, or in the open air. The meal moves into the shade of trees and can last all day. In some parts of Serbia, especially along rivers and lakes, Petrovdan is an occasion for outings on the water and fishing. The old saying goes that this is “everyone’s feast” because the feast of Peter and Paul is kept by a great family of apostolic tradition. The feast is considered especially honored since Peter and Paul are the key pillars of the Church.