On 22n February, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Peter and Paul, two most famous saints of the early church, or “Chair of Peter”, the sign that Peter was the first apostle among others who was designated to lead the Church after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Paul Rubens’ painting depicts Peter holding the “Keys” and wearing the pallium of the office of Bishop.
Saint Peter and Paul were the two leading saints of the early church and this liturgical feast is celebrated to honor the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul and is observed on June 29th. In Goa, it is a major festival for Christians.
History Of Feat Of St. Peter And Paul
Saint Peter and Saint Paul were both patron saints of Rome and regarded as cornerstones of the Church. Saint Peter was the first pope and founder of the Roman Church, as well as one of the 12 apostles. He has martyred in the circus of Nero sometime around 64 AD. As he was not a citizen of Rome, he was crucified.
Saint Peter requested to be crucified upside down as he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same way as Jesus. He was buried next to the circus, in the Vatican Necropolis.
After the Roman Emperor Constantine accepted Christianity, he built a church in the saint’s honor above his grave. This church is now known as St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.
He was also an apostle who is responsible for much of the New Testament. He never met Jesus in person but, still, he is widely acclaimed as the most influential apostle who spread the teachings of Jesus and the nascent Christianity.
Saint Paul was martyred during Nero’s persecution of the Christians. He was not a Roman citizen and hence, his death was the more lenient beheading. According to legends, Saint Paul’s head bounced three times, creating a water spring with each bounce.
Highlights Of Feast Of St. Peter And Paul
The Sangodd convention is additionally seen in the celebration of Saint Peter and Paul hung on June 29, by the fishermen community in Bardez taluka.
The fishermen in the villages situated at the northern bank of Goa commence the celebration in the storm. The fishermen entwine their pontoons to structure boats which become temporary stages. On these stages, small models of Churches and Chapels are erected.
The celebration of Sangodd is held after the church service in the morning and a substantial gala. Folk dances, tiatrs (neighborhood dramatization theatre), and music performances are held in front of people who watch from the banks of the waterway.
The Sangodd in the villages of Sinquerim and Candolim are very popular. Here, the flatboats showcasing the models go down the waterway up to St. Peter’s Chapel. At each stop, fireworks are planned off and the theatrical performances on the stage start.
Feast of St. Peter and Paul Date
It is widely believed that Saint Peter and Paul were martyred on the same day (29th June) around 64 AD and hence, the feast is celebrated on 29th June each year.
How To Reach Feast Of St. Peter And Paul
The feast of St. Peter and Paul is widely celebrated in Goa to honor the martyrdom of the two most famous saints of the early church. Here’s how to reach Goa.
- Nearest metropolitan city. Mumbai
- Nearest airport. Goa
- Nearest railway station. Madgaon Railway Station
- Distance from Mumbai. 587 Kms
By Air
You can easily catch a flight to Goa from different Indian cities. Goa International Airport is the major airport of Goa. This airport is operated by the Airport Authority of India primarily as a Civil Enclave.
After deboarding at the airport, you will need to travel the remaining distance by cab or by local bus. Goa has very extensive public transportation like buses and cabs which connect the towns and villages within the boundaries of Goa. Thus, traveling within Goa would be quite a hassle-free experience for you.
By Road
Goa can be traveled via well-maintained road networks.
- Distance from Belgaum - 103 Kms
- Distance from Ratnagiri - 239 Kms
- Distance from Nashik - 660 Kms
- Distance from Aurangabad - 678 Kms
You can also board the interstate buses to reach here. Kadamba Transport Corporation - The government of Goa provides punctual bus services to and fro nearby towns and villages.
By Train
Goa has mainly two major railway stations one is known as Margao and the other is known as Vasco da Gama. Both of these train stations are located in south Goa.
However, the Madgaon Railway Station is the primary train station. This station comes under the Karwar Railway Region of the Konkan Railways in Goa. One of the best features of this station is that it offers free Wi-Fi connectivity.
After you deboard at the station, you can easily take public transportation like a bus or a private taxi to travel to your desired destination.
- Distance from Madgaon Railway Station. 0 Kms
FAQs About Feast Of St. Peter And Paul
Q. Why do we celebrate the feast of St. Peter and Paul?
Ans - To honor the martyrdom of the two saints, sometime between AD 64 and 68, we celebrate the feast of St. Peter and Paul. Tradition says that this is the day that they were both martyred in Rome by Emperor Nero, while the church recognizes that they may not have died on the same day.
Q. Who were St. Peter and St. Paul and What did they do?
Ans - St. Peter was the leader of the first pope and of the apostles. Paul was Saul but later he converted to Christianity while on his way to Damascus.
Q. What miracles did St. Peter perform?
Ans - There are several mentions of St. Peter and his miracles in the text, such as healing a crippled beggar. Peter preached that in order to convert followers through deception, Simon Magus is performing magic.
