Whoops... You guys got me.
I actually meant to say Peter. Traditionally... Paul was beheaded in Rome. I am more curious about Peter being hung that way. Are there any records or any evidence at all to support Peter's death on the cross? (mainly upside down)
Thanks
Harry...
Good question Harry.
I have heard this preached many times.
The origin of the symbol comes from the Catholic tradition that Simon Peter was crucified upside down, as told by Origen of Alexandria. The tradition first appears in the "Martyrdom of Peter", a fragmented text found in, but possibly predating, the apocryphal Acts of Peter, which was written no later than 200 A.D. It is believed that Peter requested this form of crucifixion as he felt he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner that Jesus d
ied. As such, some Catholics use this cross as a symbol of humility and unworthiness in comparison to Jesus.
According to Roman Catholicism, the Pope is Peter's successor as Bishop of Rome. Therefore the Papacy is often represented by symbols that are also used to represent Peter one example being the Keys of Heaven, another the Petrine Cross.
Circumstances surrounding the martyrdom of Saint Peter are sketchy. The New Testament only records the death of the Apostle James so most other knowledge of the deaths of the other disciples relies on tradition.
After the Ascension of Jesus, Peter became leader of the Apostles. This is made evident in the Acts of the Apostles.
Saint Peter was instrumental in bringing the Gospel to the gentiles and gave his support in preaching to them at the Council of Jerusalem. After St. Peter baptized the Roman pagan Cornelius, he was arrested and imprisoned by King Herod Agrippa but he was aided in escape by an angel. Saint Peter's missionary efforts then began to include such pagan cities as Antioch and Cornith. He traveled to Rome later and gave reference to the Eternal City in his first Epistle. Saint Peter is recognized as the Prince of the Apostles and the first Supreme Pontiff.
In research completed through 1963 to 1968 directed by Margherita Guarducci, the death of St. Peter is believed to have occurred on October 13.A.D. 64 during the festivities of the occasion of the 'dies imperii' (regnal day anniversary) of Emperor Nero. This took place three months after the disastrous fire that destroyed the city of Rome. Emperor Nero blamed the fire on the Christians. The 'dies imperii' took placed exactly ten years after Nero acceded the throne and was accompanied by much bloodshed.
The ancient historian Josephus describes ways the Roman soldiers amused themselves by crucifying criminals in different positions. While the position attributed to the crucifixion of Saint Peter is plausible, tradition says St. Peter requested not to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus. St. Peter said he was not worthy to die in the same way as his Lord. So the Roman soldiers crucified him upside down.
More gruesome details concerning the martyrdom of Saint Peter have circulated for ages; including that it took Peter three days to die upside down. Death in the ordinary position of crucifixion causes suffocation but one does not suffocate when hanging upside down. There are stories that the soldiers attempted to burn St. Peter crucified on his cross but he did not die. After three days he is said to have been beheaded while hanging upside down.
Clement of Rome, in his Letter to the Corinthians (chap 5) wrote, ""Let us take the noble examples of our own generation. Through jealousy and envy the greatest and most just pillars of the Church were persecuted, and came even unto death
Peter, through unjust envy, endured not one or two but many labours, and at last, having delivered his testimony, departed unto the place of glory due to him
Harry these are some references I pulled off Catholic sites.
Although there is a consensus of early scholars that it is true but cannot be proven.
As for me I believe it to be true.
