The Orthodox Christians who use the Julian calendar on July 12 celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, who are also called the pillars of the Orthodox Church. Also on this day, the fast in honor of the apostles ends, IPN reports.

On the day when the two saints are commemorated, the Divine Liturgy is held and after it the parishioners and the group of priests surround the church as on the Day of Resurrection. Apostles Peter and Paul enjoy special honor in the Church, being called “heads of the apostles” and “teachers of the world” as they contributed to the spread of the Gospel in many parts of the world.

Jesus Christ gave the name Peter to the one called Cephas (petros), meaning stone, and called him the pillar on which the Church would be built. Apostle Peter followed Jesus Christ and left the fishing nets and his family. Apostle Paul was originally called Saul and was a great scribe of the time. He was a fanatical Pharisee who persecuted early Christians, but he converted to Christianity after being blinded by a bright light on his way to the city of Damascus. He then went to the Cathedral of Damascus, where he asked to be baptized and began to preach the new religion of the Christians.

Saints Peter and Paul were killed by order of the Roman emperor Nero. St. Paul’s head was cut off with the sword, while St. Peter was crucified on the cross, upside down.