The Death of St. Paul SIR, —One would like to know
from what source Janus heard that both the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, were crucified in Rome. This must be news to many, and is-certainly not a tradition- commonly held either by the Anglican Communion or the Roman Catholic Church itself. As one who in early manhood lived in the Eternal City, I can assure Janus he is wrong. The early Christian tradition has been--and I have never seen. it contradicted—that the early Christian Church, owed its foundation in Rome to St. Peter and St. Paul as co-founders, It is true both suffered martyrdom about the same ‘date-2A.D. 65-68; St. Peter by crucifixion in the Piazza San Petro in front of St. Peter's, Rome.. St. Paul was taken some miles outside the city walls and, as a Roman citizen, was beheaded at Tre Fontane, and upon the site of his martyrdom now stands one of the most beautiful of Italian churches—St. Paul's-without-the-Walls, built not many years after, in memory of the great Apostle of Western Christendom.
St, Peter was crucified. He pleaded that he was not worthy to suffer death in the same way as his Master, and so was crucified With his feet pointing heavenwards. This has been an age-long tradition in the Christian, Church.—Yours faithfully, ALAN GARDNER-BROWN.
Torksey Vicarage, Lincoln.
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