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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) 🌐 Show original

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

Father Nikolai explained well why Peter was crucified upside down - so that his gaze would be directed to heaven, and not to the earth, like Christ. In Kazan, in the Church of Peter and Paul, we also always sing the troparion together with the choir on the patronal feast day on July 12, and after the service everyone goes to tea with my baked goods. I wonder how exactly Pavel accepted death; the article ended at this point.

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

Father Nikolai accurately noticed about Peter - that he did not want to be crucified like Christ, but asked upside down, so that his gaze would be towards heaven. In Samara, in the Church of Peter and Paul on the outskirts, we also always gather for tea on July 12th after the service, just like at Olga’s in Kazan. I wonder how exactly Pavel accepted death; the article ended there.

Πέτρος Λαμπρόπουλος

Father Nikolaos said it very simply about Peter, that he asked to be crucified upside down so that he would look at heaven and not at the earth like Christ. I didn't know that detail. At Agios Nikolaos here in Patras, who also celebrates with the Apostles, we do the same – after the service on July 12th we gather for coffee with the children of the parish.

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

Interesting what you say about Agios Nikolaos in Patras, I didn't know that. Father Nikolaos explained it really simply, but the detail with the upside down cross stuck with me too. After coffee, do you do any other activity with the children or do you just relax?

Алексей Петров

Yes, Konstantin, the story with Peter and his request to be crucified upside down is definitely memorable. And Paul, as I heard from the priest last week, was beheaded by the sword in Rome, because he was a Roman citizen and could not be crucified. In Samara, after the service in Petropavlovsk, we always have tea with pies, it’s good that the tradition continues. And in which church in Kazan do Olga meet?

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Yes, the upside down cross detail is one of the strongest. After coffee, I usually take the children for a walk in the garden of the house to pick tomatoes or water the flowers, we don't sit still. What do you usually do?