The Orthodox Christians on July 12 celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, which are called the pillars of the Orthodox Church. This feast also marks the end of the Apostles’ Fast, which is also called the Fast of the Holy Apostles or the Fast of Peter and Paul.

Contacted by IPN, priest Petru Buburuz, of the Chisinau Church “Saint Apostles Peter and Pavel”, said that the Christians during the Fast had time to prepare themselves spiritually, to think about the holy things and to take communion. “I call on the faithful to be Christians not only on this day, but all year round, and not to forget about God’s commandments,” stated the priest.

Jesus Christ gave Peter, who was named Simon and was a fisherman of Galilee, the name Cephas (Petrus in Latin), which means ‘Rock,’ because he was to become the rock upon which Christ would build His Church. Peter was a bold follower of the Lord. He was the first to recognize that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and eagerly pledged his fidelity until death.

St Peter was one of Jesus Christ’s 12 apostles and spent most of his life preaching the Christian gospel after Jesus’ death. He died by crucifixion around 67 CE and is regarded as the Catholic Church’s first pope.

St Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, was converted to Christianity on the road to Damascus shortly after Jesus Christ’s death. He became an influential leader in the Christian church. He was beheaded around the year 67 CE during the Roman emperor Nero’s persecution of the Christians.

The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul is considered a day of recommended attendance, whereon one should attend the All-Night Vigil on the eve, and the Divine Liturgy on the morning of the feast.