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Happy feast!

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It really is amazing how many early images of Peter and Paul there are! I could only include a few.

I see why it can be confusing. I included it to illustrate the difference between the Romulus/Remus myth and Christian brotherhood exemplified by Peter and Paul. There is a common archetype of “twin brothers” being at odds with one another in many cultures, e.g. Romulus and Remus, and also Cain and Abel in the Biblical canon. Both of those stories ended with murder but Peter and Paul’s did not. These stories share symbolic patterns. We can see many parallels between the stories that highlight the extraordinary nature of Christianity and how it transforms the world. Symbolism happens in reality and history and is not only relegated to myth as we see in the Christian story and history of the Church.

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Jacob and Esau 😏 🥘 😋 🐐

James and John ⛈️ 🦅🗡️ ✍🏼

Peter & Andrew 🇻🇦 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🇺🇦 🎣

Εηρηνι Σοφία Χάρης Αγάπη Δόξα

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Jun 29Liked by Amelia Sims McKee

Thank you for posting this wonderful set of mosaics and frescos. Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of Antioch and Chiefs among the Holy Apostles, pray for us! ☦️🌐

The consistency in the physical description portrayed in these very early images does support an idea of what these men actually looked like.✔️ Many Eastern Icons of the Feast show Peter and Paul embracing one another or, together, supporting an Image of the Holy Church between them. 😌 I do like the portrayal of the centrality of Christ as "Law Giver" 📖 in the form of a 'modified' reverse Deisis Icon with P&P 'receiving' in lieu of the Theotokos & Forerunner🕯️📿 supplicating.

I suppose including the pagan mars altar had some meaningful purpose, but I'm not seeing 🤷🏻‍♂️ the romulus rhemus analogy as particularly valid. Perhaps it's just a cultural thing about Western Latin statuary and Eastern Orthodox Holy Iconography? [3D vs 2D] Grace and Peace to you, 🎣 🗝️ 📜 🗡️ ♥️ ⛲ 🔥Happy Feast!

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This is excellent. Reminds me of when I read Margherita Guarducci about the tomb of St. Peter her artistic proofs for the Roman/Petrine Primacy. Subscribed!

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author

Thank you! That book looks fascinating! Thanks for the recommendation.

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Yes. She is the one who verified and identified the bones of Peter. A great archeologist.

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Great post. Fresh and Ancient.

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⚓ Semper Fortis! 🌊 🇺🇲

Blessed Forth Ahead 🗽

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I love the comparison and contrast of Peter and Paul with Romulus and Remus.

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