The Holy Apostle Peter was the first of the disciples to clearly express his faith in Christ, saying: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). His love for the Lord was immense, and his faith gradually grew stronger. When the Lord was brought to trial, he denied Him three times, but immediately repented greatly. He fearlessly preached the Gospel in Palestine, Asia Minor, Illyricum, and Italy. He performed mighty miracles. During the reign of Emperor Nero in Rome, he was crucified upside down. The Holy Apostle Paul was a persecutor of the Church of Christ, but the Lord Himself converted him to the faith. With fiery zeal, he preached the Gospel from Arabia to Spain, to Jews and Gentiles. He was beheaded in Rome, during the reign of Nero, when the Apostle Peter also suffered.