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Conversation with a priest. Archpriest Nikolai Anikeev about the supreme apostles Peter and Paultranslated

July 11, 2026 · 1 min read

The Pleschenitsy Orthodox Church in honor of the supreme apostles Peter and Paul is one of many named as a sign of memory and gratitude to these zealous servants of the faith of Christ. On the eve of the patronal feast day, which is celebrated on July 12, we talked with the rector of this church, Archpriest Nikolai Anikeev.

— Father Nicholas, we must understand that these apostles are called supreme for their special contribution to the spread of Christianity throughout the world, for which they accepted martyrdom.

- Indeed, Christ had many disciples, but Peter and Paul were distinguished by their special zeal, defending the faith of their teacher and converting many people to it in the countries where they did this.

None of the apostles had power in our understanding; all issues were resolved by them together at councils. And yet, everyone else treated Peter with special respect.

He died in Rome, where he was crucified upside down. The Apostle believed that he was not worthy of such a death as the Teacher. He said that Jesus on the cross looked at the earth and sinners for whom he wished salvation, and His disciple should turn his gaze to heaven, waiting to meet Christ.

The Apostle Paul also went through the martyr’s path...

Source: Site: Борисовская епархия · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (11) 🌐 Translate comments

Anna Moore

Thank you for the interview. I didn't know Peter asked to be crucified upside down so he could look up to heaven instead of down at the earth like Christ did — that detail really stayed with me. Our own little church here in Melbourne keeps their feast day quietly with the choir singing the same hymns every year.

Gregory Mitchell

That story about Peter asking to be crucified upside down so he could look up to heaven really stuck with me too. Father Nicholas explained it so plainly. Our parish here in Portland has a small icon of the two apostles right by the door — I always notice it on their feast day.

Anna Anderson

That bit about Peter asking to be crucified upside down so he could look toward heaven instead of down at the sinners really hit me. I’d never heard the reason explained that clearly. Our parish in Pittsburgh has the same patrons, and Father John always reads the lives of Peter and Paul right before the feast on the 12th.

Ольга Попова

Отец Николай хорошо объяснил, почему Петра распяли вниз головой — чтобы взгляд был устремлён к небу, а не к земле, как у Христа. У нас в Казани в храме Петра и Павла тоже всегда на престольный праздник 12 июля поют тропарь вместе с хором, и после службы все идут на чай с моей выпечкой. Интересно, а Павел как именно принял смерть, статья оборвалась на этом месте.

David Hall

That detail about Peter insisting on being crucified upside down so he could look up to heaven instead of down at the earth like Christ really stuck with me too. Father Nicholas put it so plainly. Our choir back in Boston sings the troparion for their feast every July 12, and it always makes me think of that story.

Константин Комаров

Отец Николай точно подметил про Петра — что он не хотел быть распятым как Христос, а просил вниз головой, чтобы взгляд был к небу. У нас в Самаре в храме Петра и Павла на окраине тоже всегда 12 июля после службы все собираемся на чай, как у Ольги в Казани. Интересно, а Павел как именно принял смерть, статья оборвалась на этом.

Πέτρος Λαμπρόπουλος

Ο πατέρας Νικόλαος το είπε πολύ απλά για τον Πέτρο, ότι ζήτησε να τον σταυρώσουν ανάποδα για να κοιτάζει τον ουρανό και όχι τη γη σαν τον Χριστό. Δεν το ήξερα αυτό το λεπτομερές. Στον Άγιο Νικόλαο εδώ στην Πάτρα, που γιορτάζει κι αυτός μαζί με τους Αποστόλους, κάνουμε το ίδιο – μετά τη λειτουργία στις 12 Ιουλίου μαζευόμαστε για καφέ με τα παιδιά της ενορίας.

Xenia Walker

That detail about Peter wanting his eyes turned toward heaven always gets me too — Father Nicholas made it feel so immediate, like something you could picture happening right there in Rome. Our little parish icon of Peter and Paul is right above the candle stand here in Denver; I catch myself straightening it every year before July 12. Does yours have any special story behind it?

Αγγελική Παναγιωτοπούλου

Ενδιαφέρον αυτό που λες για τον Άγιο Νικόλαο στην Πάτρα, δεν το ήξερα. Ο πατέρας Νικόλαος το εξήγησε όντως απλά, αλλά η λεπτομέρεια με τον σταυρό ανάποδα μου έμεινε κι εμένα. Εσείς μετά τον καφέ κάνετε και κάποια άλλη δραστηριότητα με τα παιδιά ή απλώς χαλαρώνετε;

Алексей Петров

Да, Константин, история с Петром и его просьбой распять вниз головой — это точно запоминается. А Павел, как я слышал от батюшки на прошлой неделе, был обезглавлен мечом в Риме, поскольку был римским гражданином и не мог быть распят. У нас в Самаре после службы в Петропавловском тоже всегда чай с пирогами, хорошо, что традиция держится. А в каком храме в Казани у Ольги собираются?

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Ναι, η λεπτομέρεια με τον σταυρό ανάποδα είναι από τις πιο δυνατές. Εγώ μετά τον καφέ συνήθως παίρνω τα παιδιά για μια βόλτα στον κήπο του σπιτιού να μαζέψουμε ντομάτες ή να ποτίσουμε τα λουλούδια, δεν μένουμε καθιστοί. Εσύ τι κάνεις συνήθως;