Sunday, 29 June 2025

Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

3rd Sunday after Pentecost

70 days after Pascha · Tone 2 · Red cross circle (great feast typikon symbol) · No Fast (Fish, Wine and Oil are Allowed)

Saints commemorated

★ Holy glorious and all-praised chief Apostles Peter and Paul

Today the Church of Christ keeps with the highest solemnity the holy and glorious chief Apostles Peter and Paul, the two coryphaei of the apostolic choir, who poured out their blood for the Lord at Rome on the same day in the persecution of Nero about the year 67. Saint Peter, called Simon son of Jonah, was a Galilean fisherman from Bethsaida, brother of the Apostle Andrew the First-called, who was given by the Lord the new name Cephas, that is the Rock, and on that confession of his faith Christ promised to build His Church and entrusted to him the keys of the Kingdom. Of all the Apostles he was the most ardent and the most ready to speak; he denied his Master thrice in the courtyard of the high priest, but after his bitter weeping and the threefold question by the sea of Tiberias he was confirmed again as shepherd of the lambs and sheep of Christ. He preached in Judaea, Antioch, the cities of Asia Minor and Greece, and at the last in Rome, where he was crucified head downwards, accounting himself unworthy to suffer in the same manner as the Lord. Saint Paul, called Saul before his conversion, was born of the tribe of Benjamin in Tarsus of Cilicia, brought up at the feet of Gamaliel and zealous for the law of his fathers; he persecuted the Church even unto Damascus, until on the road there a great light from heaven shone about him at midday and the voice of the Lord said, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me. Blinded for three days, he was baptised by Ananias, and from that hour became the chosen vessel to bear the name of Christ before the Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. Through three great missionary journeys he founded churches across Asia Minor, Macedonia, Greece, Crete and the islands; he wrote fourteen of the holy Epistles which are read in the Church to this day; and at length, brought as a prisoner to Rome, he was beheaded by the sword as a Roman citizen, while Peter died on the cross. The hymns of the feast call them the rocks of the Faith, the trumpets of the Spirit, and the divinely chosen pair, equal in honour, who together built up the Church on the foundation of Christ. The feast is preceded by the Apostles' Fast, which begins on the Monday after the Sunday of All Saints and ends with the eve of this day, and is kept with an All-Night Vigil throughout the Orthodox world.

Holy Apostle Paul, the chosen vessel

The holy Apostle Paul was born about the year 5 in Tarsus of Cilicia of Jewish parents of the tribe of Benjamin who possessed Roman citizenship, and was given in his birth the name Saul. Sent to Jerusalem in his youth he was educated at the feet of the great teacher Gamaliel and became a zealous Pharisee, exact in the keeping of the Law of his fathers. Present at the stoning of the Protomartyr Stephen, he consented to the killing and afterwards led the persecution of the Church, breathing out threats and slaughter and obtaining letters to bring the disciples bound to Jerusalem. On the road to Damascus, near midday, a light brighter than the sun shone about him from heaven and he heard the voice, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me; blinded by the vision, he was led into the city, where after three days of fasting and prayer he received baptism from Ananias, the scales fell from his eyes, and he began at once to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Henceforth he was called Paul, and through three great missionary journeys carried the Gospel through Cyprus, Asia Minor, Macedonia, Greece and the islands, founding churches at Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus and many other cities. He laboured more than any of the other Apostles, suffering imprisonments, beatings, three shipwrecks, hunger, cold, dangers from rivers, robbers, his own countrymen and the Gentiles. From his hand the Church received fourteen of the divinely inspired Epistles, in which the heart of the Gospel is laid open and the mystery of Christ and of His Body, the Church, is unfolded. After being brought as a prisoner to Rome and remaining two years in his own hired house preaching the Kingdom of God, and after a fourth missionary journey reaching as far as Spain, he was again imprisoned and at last beheaded by the sword in the persecution of Nero, about the year 67, being a Roman citizen and so spared the cross. The Church calls him the chosen vessel, the trumpet of the Spirit, the apostle to the nations, the equal in honour with Peter the chief of the Apostles.

Holy Apostle Peter, chief of the Apostles

The holy Apostle Peter, originally named Simon, was the son of Jonah and brother of the Apostle Andrew the First-called, born in Bethsaida of Galilee and dwelling at Capernaum where he plied his trade as a fisherman with his father-in-law's household on the lake. Brought to the Lord by his brother Andrew, he was at once renamed Cephas in the Aramaic, that is Peter the Rock, by the Saviour Himself. He was the first of the Twelve to confess at Caesarea Philippi, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, and was accounted worthy with James and John to behold the Transfiguration on Tabor and the agony in Gethsemane. With characteristic zeal he protested at the foot-washing, drew his sword in the garden, and after his triple denial in the courtyard of Caiaphas wept bitterly tears that were never forgotten. After the Resurrection the Lord by the Sea of Tiberias accepted from him a threefold confession of love and confirmed him as shepherd of the flock. On the day of Pentecost his preaching in Jerusalem brought three thousand to baptism. He is the one who first received Gentiles into the Church through the conversion of Cornelius the centurion, and his ministry took him to Antioch, the cities of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia to whose Christians his First Epistle was written, and at the last to old Rome. Two Catholic Epistles attributed to him are received in the canon of the New Testament. According to ancient tradition, in the persecution of Nero he was crucified at Rome, and at his own request head downwards, esteeming himself unworthy of the manner of his Master's death; the date is reckoned about the year 67. The Church honours him as the rock of confession, the chief of the Apostles, and the pre-eminent shepherd whose fall and restoration teach repentance to every penitent.

Daily readings

Vespers

1 Peter — 1 Peter 1.3-9

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁴To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁵Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, ⁶Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: ⁷that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: ⁷That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: ⁸whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: ⁸Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: ⁹receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. ⁹Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Vespers

1 Peter — 1 Peter 1.13-19

¹³Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

¹³Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: ¹⁴As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: ¹⁵but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; ¹⁵But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; ¹⁶Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. ¹⁶because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy. ¹⁷And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: ¹⁷And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: ¹⁸knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; ¹⁸Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; ¹⁹but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ: ¹⁹But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Vespers

1 Peter — 1 Peter 2.11-24

¹¹Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

¹¹Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ¹²having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. ¹²Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

¹³Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme;

¹³Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; ¹⁴or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to them that do well. ¹⁴Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. ¹⁵For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁵For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁶As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. ¹⁶as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. ¹⁷Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. ¹⁷Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

¹⁸Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. ¹⁸Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. ¹⁹For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. ¹⁹For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. ²⁰For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. ²⁰For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. ²¹For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: ²¹For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: ²²Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: ²²who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: ²³who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: ²³Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: ²⁴Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. ²⁴who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

3rd Matins Gospel

Mark — Mark 16.9-20

⁹Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

⁹Now when he was risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. ¹⁰And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. ¹⁰She went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. ¹¹And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. ¹¹And they, when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, disbelieved.

¹²After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

¹²And after these things he was manifested in another form unto two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country. ¹³And they went away and told it unto the rest: neither believed they them. ¹³And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

¹⁴Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

¹⁴And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen. ¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. ¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. ¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. ¹⁷And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁷And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. ¹⁸they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

¹⁹So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

¹⁹So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. ²⁰And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen. ²⁰And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Epistle

weekly cycle

Romans — Romans 5.1-10

¹Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

¹Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; ²through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ²By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ³And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; ⁴And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁴and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: ⁵and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us. ⁵And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. ⁶For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁶For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: for peradventure for the good man some one would even dare to die. ⁷For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. ⁸But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁸But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. ⁹Much more then, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through him. ¹⁰For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life; ¹⁰For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Epistle

— Apostles

2 Corinthians — 2 Corinthians 11.21-12.9

²¹I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. ²¹I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. ²²Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. ²²Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. ²³Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft. ²³Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. ²⁴Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. ²⁴Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. ²⁵Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁵Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep; ²⁶in journeyings often, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my countrymen, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁶In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. ²⁷In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. ²⁸Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches. ²⁸Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. ²⁹Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not? ²⁹Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? ³⁰If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness. ³⁰If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. ³¹The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. ³¹The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed for evermore knoweth that I lie not. ³²In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to take me: ³²In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: ³³And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. ³³and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall, and escaped his hands.

¹It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

¹I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. ²I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. ²I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. ³And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), ³And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) ⁴how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. ⁴How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. ⁵Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. ⁵On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses. ⁶For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me to be, or heareth from me. ⁶For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. ⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. ⁷And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch. ⁸Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ⁸For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. ⁹And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Gospel

weekly cycle

Matthew — Matthew 6.22-33

²²The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. ²²The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. ²³But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! ²³But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is the darkness!

²⁴No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. ²⁴No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. ²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? ²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? ²⁶Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they? ²⁶Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? ²⁷Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? ²⁷And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? ²⁸And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: ²⁸And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: ²⁹And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁹yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? ³⁰But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? ³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ³¹Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ³²For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. ³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. ³³But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Gospel

— Apostles

Matthew — Matthew 16.13-19

¹³When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

¹³Now when Jesus came into the parts of Cæsarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Who do men say that the Son of man is? ¹⁴And they said, Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. ¹⁴And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. ¹⁵He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am? ¹⁵He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? ¹⁶And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ¹⁶And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ¹⁷And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. ¹⁷And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ¹⁸And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. ¹⁹And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.