36- SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
		
		
		The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul came to be observed 
		early in the history of the Church. Although they died at 
		different times and places, their commemoration has 
		universally been kept on the same day to highlight the 
		central role they had in the foundation of the early 
		Church. It is for the same reason that they are called 
		the "Leaders of the Apostles" in the Liturgy. 
		
		
		St. Peter, whose original name was Simon, was a fisherman 
		in Galilee when Jesus called him to be a Disciple. "Come 
		after me and I will make you fishers of men." (Mt. 4: 19) 
		After Jesus' Ascension, Peter was the spokesman of the 
		Apostles, and a witness of Christ's divinity. He delivered
		the first sermon on Pentecost and received the first 
		Gentiles into the Church. From Jerusalem He went to preach
		the Gospel in Asia at Antioch (Gal. 2: 11), then to 
		Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus, and finally Rome. He was 
		crucified, head downward, most probably in 67 A.D. 
		
		
		St. Paul, known as Saul before his conversion, was born 
		at Tarsus in the Roman province of Cilicia. As a youth, 
		he went to Jerusalem to receive his education in Judaism 
		from the celebrated rabbi, Gamaliel (Acts 22: 3). At the 
		time of Jesus' ministry he had already left Jerusalem. 
		Saul did not see the Lord during His earthly ministry. By 
		the grace of God, Saul was miraculously converted on the 
		way to Damascus around the year 34 A.D. After receiving 
		baptism, Paul left for a long retreat in Arabia to prepare
		himself for his future mission. He was most zealous to 
		preach the gospel of Christ to the world. He established 
		many churches and visited many other churches. To these 
		he wrote numerous letters which form a significant part 
		of the New Testament canonical writings. 
		
		
		The Icon of Peter and Paul is simple and direct, striving 
		only to present the holiness and wisdom of the two Apostles
		whose lives were totally devoted to witnessing the Good 
		News of Jesus Christ and our salvation. They stand 
		majestically, Peter with the keys, and Paul with the 
		Scriptures, as pillars of the Church and teachers of the 
		Lord Jesus. 
		
		
		The Liturgy hails the chief Apostles with beautifully 
		composed hymns. Peter is called the "rock of faith" and 
		Paul "pride of the universe." Together they are celebrated
		as "luminaries of those in darkness, two rays of the sun, 
		pillars of divine doctrines, and friends of Christ." 
		(Matins Hymn) 
		
		
		TROPARION -O Leaders of the Apostles and Teachers of the 
		World, pray to the Master of All to grant peace to the 
		world and abundant mercy to our souls.

		I look within the ocean of self to find the treasures of life
		
		
		Your body is 96 percent water. Like the ocean, you are a 
		mystery of buried treasures. The deeper you are willing to 
		go, the greater are the treasures you will find. Your mind 
		is the only equipment you need. The sharper your mind, the 
		greater the depths that will be revealed to you. Never allow 
		anyone or anything to limit your mind because of your race, 
		color or gender expression, since your mind feeds your 
		emotions. The emotions of your heart will keep your dreams 
		afloat. If you can feel it, the world must reveal it. When 
		you take time to breath consciously, stilling the motion of 
		the mind, you can take a plunge into the deepest resources 
		of your soul. Take a plunge within yourself to find the joy, 
		strength, peace, freedom and love you may be seeking in the 
		shores of life.
		
		
		Nobody knows the mysteries which lie at the bottom of 
		the ocean.
		

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