At the Assumption University of Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Campus, Saint Peter (Dome 1) and Saint Paul (Dome 7) are portrayed at the two entrances to St. Gabriel’s Hall and St. Raphael’s Hall respectively, as Catholic symbols signifying exclusively:
The teachings of the Catholic Church through St. Peter who was appointed by Jesus Christ himself, to carry the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven so that anyone who believes in Jesus’ teachings would be blessed with Hope, Faith and Truth. Peter was Leader in establishing the Catholic Church two thousand years ago in Rome, Italy.
The work of the Catholic Church to spread the Word of God and teachings to the world, as St. Paul did after he was converted to the Faith, and was called by Jesus directly to spread the message of God, and conversion of the people of the Middle East and Mediterranean lands. Paul was responsible to build the Catholic Church on the foundations of Peter’s leadership.
Assumption University of Thailand is perhaps one among the few of Catholic Universities to have both replica statues of St. Peter and St. Paul which are inspired from the originals in St. Paul Outside the Walls Cathedral where St. Paul was martyred (murdered) and where the original tomb (grave) of St. Paul is still preserved.
(Reported by Mr. Glen Chatelier based on a conversation he had with Brother Martin in the year 2002)
Saint Peter
Peter's original name was Simon, but Jesus called him Cephas, a Greek word for 'rock'; Petros (Petra in Latin) is another, so he became Peter, or Simon Peter, the rock: 'You are Peter and upon this rock [tu es Petrus et super hanc petrarm] I will build my Church.'
After Pentecost he is the first to address the crowds, who are amazed at the transformation from the cowed group hiding in an upper room. He attributes the change to God's Spirit, whose presence 'you see and hear'.
After working cures and other signs, he left James in charge of the Church in Jerusalem and embarked on a series of missionary journeys. He was arrested by King Herod Agrippa and dramatically rescued, apparently through the intervention of an angel. He went to Antioch in Asia Minor, to Corinth in Greece, and finally to Rome, capital of the empire, where he was martyred during the persecution under Nero (emperor from 54 to 68). The story that he asked to be crucified head down, so as not to imitate Jesus, dates from the early third century, by which time his name was always placed first on lists of Bishops of Rome.
He is traditionally patron of fishermen on account of the description of his calling in the New Testament. In the Middle Ages he was invoked by many other groups with less obvious connections to his life.
Emblem: keys, as Jesus gave him 'the keys to the kingdom of heaven; in art he is portrayed as strongly built, with a short, square beard.
Source:
Burns, P. (2005). Favorite patron saints. Burns & Oates.
Sts. Peter and Paul. (n.d.). https://www.livingwithchrist.africa/news/sts-peter-and-paul/515
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