On July 12, Christians of the Eastern Rite celebrate the Day of Peter and Paul - the feast of the two apostles, who, after the death of Christ, began to preach and carry the Gospel around the world. It is believed that the apostles died either on the same day or exactly one year apart..

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Who are Peter and Paul.

The apostles were pagans named Simon and Saul. They received the names Peter and Paul after baptism..

Before meeting Christ, Peter was a fisherman on the Lake of Gennesaret, it is believed that he was the first to call Jesus the Teacher and the Messiah. But after Christ was imprisoned, Peter denied him three times..

Later, the apostle atoned for his betrayal. He preached the gospel along the shores of the Mediterranean, in Antioch, Asia Minor, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Spain, Carthage and Britain..

In the year 67, the apostle Peter returned to Rome, where he was executed for preaching a Christian. The apostle himself asked to be crucified face down, because he believed that he was not worthy to be executed like Christ.

The Apostle Paul was not a disciple of Christ during his earthly life. He was a pagan, well educated and persecuted Christians. But on the way to Damascus, the Lord called Paul to the ministry. After baptism, the apostle became a zealous preacher of the teachings of Christ.

From 45 to 51, he went through the entire island of Cyprus. Together with Saint Barnabas, he founded Christian communities in several cities of Asia Minor.. Paul enlightened people in Macedonia, Greece and other lands. The Apostle Paul wrote 14 epistles.

The apostle was martyred by the sword, this also happened near Rome in 67.

The tradition of celebrating the Day of Peter and Paul appeared in 258, when the relics of the saints were transferred in Rome.. This happened on June 29, according to the old style, or July 12, according to the new one.. In 324, the first temples dedicated to Peter and Paul appeared in Constantinople..

What not to do on the Day of Peter and Paul.

On the holiday it is forbidden to swear, swear and wish others harm.

It is forbidden to work, especially to engage in physical labor. It is also impossible to sew, knit and embroider.

Can't swim in the waters. But this ban does not apply to sailors. The apostles are considered their patrons, so they bathed "

After the festive feast, you can not remove food from the table. It is believed that it is intended for deceased relatives..