👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾 #Saints #Peter and #Paul: Pillars of Faith and Martyrdom ( Hamle 5)
Beloved children of the apostolic faith,
Today we remember with trembling joy and heavenly reverence the glorious crown-bearers of our holy faith, Saints Peter and Paul, whose memory the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church commemorates on Hamle 5 . These pillars of the Church called not by the will of men but by the divine election of our Lord Jesus Christ stand as twin lights in the firmament of the faith, their blood watering the Church, their words edifying the faithful, and their lives sealing the truth with fire.
Their Divine Calling
Peter, the humble fisherman, was mending nets when the Voice of Heaven called:
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19).
This was not a calling of fame, but of martyrdom. Not to glory in the flesh, but to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
Paul, once Saul, the zealous persecutor, was felled not by man, but by Light from heaven.
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?... I am Jesus.” (Acts 9:4-5).
The same Lord who summoned Peter beside Galilee summoned Paul on the road to Damascus. The same Christ who made fishermen into shepherds made persecutors into preachers.
Both were summoned by grace, not merit; by mercy, not might. And behold though one was unlettered and the other learned, though one was married and the other celibateGod wrought equal wonders through them.
Their Contrast and Unity
Observe, O faithful, how the Lord does not call according to flesh:
Peter: A married man, simple in speech, without education, yet bold and unashamed before rulers. (Acts 4:13)
Paul: A scholar at the feet of Gamaliel, a Hebrew of Hebrews, trained in the law, yet counted all as loss for the sake of Christ. (Phil. 3:5; Acts 22:3)
Their divergent backgrounds proved no hindrance to their unified mission that Christ may be preached and glorified in all nations. Their example teaches us:
Whether one is called early or late, whether married or unmarried, whether learned or unlearned what matters is faithfulness to the call.
Their Miracles and Ministry
The hand of God was with them:
Saint Peter, by a word, raised Aeneas from paralysis (Acts 9:32–35).
Saint Paul, by the hem of his garment, cast out demons and healed the sick (Acts 19:11–12).
Saint Paul, like Elijah, raised the youth Eutychus from death itself (Acts 20:7–12).
These signs were not for spectacle, but to confirm the Word. As Moses had signs in Egypt, these apostles had wonders in the world, that the Gospel might be believed.
Their Holy Martyrdom
Their end was not death, but glory. Their blood did not extinguish the flame, but fueled it.
Peter, not being a Roman citizen, was beaten, imprisoned, and finally crucified upside down at his own request saying, “I am not worthy to die as my Lord.” He knew that Christ had foretold it:
“When you are old, another will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (John 21:18)
Paul, being a Roman, was not flogged but beheaded by sword. Yet he embraced his execution like a victorious soldier returning from battle, crying,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith… a crown of righteousness is laid up for me.” (2 Tim. 4:7–8)
Even in death, they testified. When the executioner returned to boast of Paul’s death, a young maiden, whose cloak had been given to the Apostle, beheld a heavenly vision and said:
“Peter and Paul have gone before you. They are clothed in royal garments, crowned with pearls, and they returned my cloak.”
The sight astonished the crowd, and many believed in Christ that day.
Continues 👇🏾