St. Peter

Location: Chapel

Donor/ lender: Ahmanson

Peter was known for cutting the ear off of a roman soldier as they were arresting Jesus. He also denied Christ three times. Peter was martyred and crucified upside down in Rome in AD 67.

Original by name for Jesus' most important disciple, Simon. Peter means "rock" in Greek. Peter was the first whom Christ called to be a disciple.
Peter was the son of John and preached throughout Palestine and as far away as Asia Minor, Antioch and Rome.
He made the confession to Jesus that He is the Christ (the Messiah) (Mat. 16:16).
He was present at the trial of Jesus - denied him thrice before the cock had crowed twice - three raised fingers refer to the fact that Peter denied his Lord three times.
Peter rings his hands in despair at his denial and beside him there is a cockerel (Mat. 26:74). Peter played a leading role in the early community. He was crucified in Rome in AD 67. His most outstanding attribute: two keys ("I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of heaven..."Mat 16:19).
Peter's fish refers to the task he was given of being the "fisher of men".
The ear and the knife are reminders of the scene in the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus was taken prisoner and Peter struck off the ear of the servant of the high priest (Mat. 26:51 ).

Pictured here:
P.B symbolizes Peter with an ear, and a cockerel.
Refers to the scene in the Garden of Gethsemane when Peter, having slept while Jesus prayed, suddenly wakes up and wants to do something, whereupon he strikes off the ear of the servant of the high priest.