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On this day, two giants of the Church are commemorated: St. Peter and St. Paul. Both men suffered Martyrdom in Rome around the same time, presumably in the year 64, which is why the two have been commemorated together. Peter was reportedly crucified upside-down, as he did not feel he was worthy enough to suffer the same death as the Saviour he had thrice denied. Paul was beheaded as he was a Roman citizen.

The English Reformers had dropped Paul's commemoration from this feast as he already had his own feast related to his conversion, and which is why this feast (and the time around it) are sometimes called "Petertide" in English. However, in the 20th Century, Anglicans began to start commemorating both Saints together.

At the Mass

The following is taken from:

The Introit

Antiphon: Acts 12 Now I know of a surety that the Lord hath sent his Angel: and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

Verse: Psalm 139 O Lord, thou hast searched me out, and known me: thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Repeat the Antiphon Now I know of ...

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 186-188

The Collects

O Almighty God, who by thy Son Jesus Christ didst give to thy Apostle Saint Peter many excellent gifts, and commandedst him earnestly to feed thy flock: Make, we beseech thee, all Bishops and Pastors diligently to preach thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, who, through the preaching of the blessed Apostle Saint Paul, hast caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world: Grant, we beseech thee, that we, having his manifold labours in remembrance, may show forth our thankfulness unto thee for the same, by following the holy doctrine which he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 283

The Epistle
1 St. Peter 1. 1.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed 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, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that 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: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:1-9 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 283-284

Gradual and Alleluia

Psalm 45 Thou shalt make them princes over all the Earth: they shall have thy Name in remembrance, O Lord. Instead of thy fathers thou shalt have children: therefore shall the people give thanks unto thee.

Alleluia. Alleluia. St. Matthew 16.17 Thou art Simon Bar-Jona, and to thee hath been revealed the word of the Father: not by flesh and blood, but by my Father which is in heaven. Alleluia.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 186-188

The Gospel
St. Matthew 16. 13.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon son of John: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And 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. And 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.

Matthew 16:13-19 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 284

The Offertory

Psalm 45 Thou shalt make them princes in all lands: they shall remember thy Name, Lord, from one generation to another.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Page 160

The Preface

Upon All Saints’ Day and other Festivals of Saints.

Who in the multitude of thy Saints hast compassed us about with so great a cloud of witnesses, that we, rejoicing in their fellowship, may run with patience the race that is set before us, and together with them may receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away. Therefore with Angels, etc.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 81

The Communion

St. Matthew 16 Thou art Peter, and upon this rock: I will build my Church.

The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 186-188

At the Offices

Vigil

Psalm(s): 62, 63
First Lesson: Ezekiel 2:1–7
Second Lesson: Acts 9:32–end
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

Morning Prayer

Psalm(s): 22 Pt 2, 23
First Lesson: Ezekiel 3:4–11
Second Lesson: Acts 11:1–18
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

Evening Prayer

Psalm(s): 118
First Lesson: Ezekiel 34:11–6
Second Lesson: John 21:15–22
NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
Additional Mass

The same Collects, Epistle, and Gospel may be used on any weekday in the Octave; or the following Collect, Epistle, and Gospel may be used in their place.

The Collect

O God, who didst give such grace unto thy holy Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, that they were enabled to bear witness to the truth by their death: Grant unto thy Church that, as in the beginning it was enlightened by their teaching, so it may continue in the same unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 285

The Epistle
1 Corinthians 3. 18.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Peter, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Corinthians 3.18-4.1 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 285

The Gospel
St. John 21. 15.

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

John 21.15-19 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV

The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Pages 285-286