The painting of St Paul and St Peter in the Cartuja Monastery of Granada. Photo: Renata Sedmakova/Shutterstock.comToday, the Church celebrates the feast day of both St Peter and St Paul. St Peter and St Paul are two of the best-known saints and are often considered as the most responsible for spreading the Christian message in the days of the early Church.
As early as AD258, there is evidence of an already-lengthy tradition of both saints being celebrated on the same day. Legend has it that they were executed on the same day under the command of Emperor Nero and buried in Rome – although historical accounts cite Peter being martyred in AD64 and Paul in AD67.
Because of his Roman citizenship, St Paul was beheaded. St Peter was reportedly crucified upside down because he said he was not worthy to be sacrificed in the same manner as Christ.
• The feast of St Peter and St Paul is being celebrated in Mdina and Nadur today.