Orthodox Church commemorates Saints Peter and Paul on June 29

The Orthodox Church observes the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul on Monday, 29 June 2026. The liturgical calendar marks this day as one of the most significant celebrations, honoring the memory of the two primary apostles who spread Christianity across the Roman world. Peter, a fisherman from Bethsaida, is regarded as the first bishop of Rome, while Paul, originally Saul of Tarsus, is celebrated as the Apostle to the Nations. Both are believed to have suffered martyrdom in Rome under Emperor Nero. The feast includes the naming of many related Greek names—such as Πέτρος, Πέτρα, Παύλος, Παυλίνα—and traditional prayers urging vigilance, for example, “Nἱψατε, γρηγορήσατε, ὁ ἀντίδικος ὑμῶν διάβολος …” (1 Peter 5:8). Across Greece and Cyprus, believers exchange greetings and participate in special services that conclude the fasting period dedicated to the apostles.