«Peter and Paul»

Bookends

Materials:

silver, bronze, gold, sapphires yellow, sodalite, charoite, jasper.

№ 16-09-600

By the Providence of God, nothing cometh to pass in the universe, in history, in society, or in the lives of individuals. All creation praiseth its almighty and merciful Creator. The mark of his invisible hand, like the seal of Love, abideth on a stone, on a tree, on every flower and in the heart of every person.

The Holy Apostle Peter was a fisherman in Bethsaida, a small town on the shores of Lake Galilee. One day, as he walked by the sea, Christ beheld Peter, who was casting nets with his brother Andrew. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). Following Christ, the Apostle Peter witnessed the divine glory of the Lord on Mount Tabor, during the Transfiguration of Christ. And when Judas came with soldiers to take the savior, only Peter defended him and smote off the ear of the high priest’s servant with a sword. He was the first of the disciples to see Christ after his resurrection. And when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, the Apostle Peter became the leader of the first Christian community.

The Holy Apostle Paul was born in the city of Tarsus and before his apostolic ministry was called Saul. Zealous for his father’s law, he persecuted the followers of Christ until one day, on the way to Damascus, a heavenly light shone upon him. All the soldiers that were with him fell to their knees and he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” “Who art thou, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest,” he answered. “Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” (Acts 9:4-6). From that time forth, the Holy Apostle Paul, travelling on long journeys and sending out epistles, preached the faith of Christ. Paul was among the attendants of the First Council of the Apostles in Jerusalem. Constantly preaching the Gospel, the Apostle endured many tribulations and afflictions, thrice he suffered shipwreck, he was beaten with rods and stoned. In Rome, the Apostle Paul aided the Apostle Peter to enlighten the Romans with the light of Christ’s faith, and even when Paul was taken captive and cast into prison, he continued to pray and glorify God.

The precious relic is wrought of fine gold and silver, adorned with yellow sapphires – a source of spiritual might. The valiant Apostle Paul holdeth a sword in his hands, and the Apostle Peter holdeth the keys to Heaven. The images of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, like wise teachers, strengthen the light of Christian faith and love for God.