Peter and Paul, the holy martyrs who are also the patrons of Rome, the Eternal City. St. Peter was crucified upside down in 64 AD in the Vatican; St. Paul, on the other hand, was persecuted and then beheaded by order of the emperor Nero in 67 AD. Generally on the evening of June 28, the Pope gives the blessing; while, the next day, the “fisherman's net” hangs at the central gate of the Vatican in honor of St. Peter, who later became a 'fisher of men'.
At the same time in the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano there is the exposition of the reliquaries that contain the heads of the two saints. This year, the health emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic inevitably changes the program of the Roman celebrations for the two beloved saints, patrons of the city.
The feast of the patron saints that has been handed down for centuries
Live from St. Peter's Basilica, Monday 29 June at 9.30 am, TV2000, the CEI broadcaster in collaboration with Vatican Media, broadcasts the celebration of the mass presided over by Pope Francis. During the rite there will be the blessing of the liturgical vestments intended for the new metropolitan archbishops and at 12 the recitation of the Angelus.
The date of the 29nd June is linked to the ancient Roman festival of Quirino which celebrated the twins Romulus and Remus. Over time, the two apostles were also considered the founders of Rome. In fact, papa Leo the Great, in one of his sermons speaks of Rome, a city 'disciple of the truth' thanks to the two apostles.
Peter and Paul, two saints who are the leading figures of the Catholic Church
The two saints are considered two guiding figures of the Catholic Church: Peter in fact receives the keys of the kingdom of heaven, while Paul is the apostle of the peoples who spreads the Gospel of Christ to the world. The feast of St. Peter and St. Paul in Rome has ancient roots. The two beloved saints are already mentioned in the games of the Roman children of the 800th century. At one time, according to tradition at the second Vespers, the statue of Saint Peter she was dressed in the solemn clothes of the pontiff. Then the pallii or the liturgical vestments were blessed, which the following day would be donated by the Pope to patriarchs, bishops and metropolitans appointed on the occasion.
They are vestments that represent the union between the Universal Church and the local ones. The Pope then kisses the foot of the bronze statue of St. Peter, the apostle chosen by Christ to 'build his Church'. In addition, every 29 June, a procession also takes place at sunset, which has the peculiarity of carrying a relic of St. Paul, or its chain made of 14 iron rings, currently kept in the basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. After sunset, the dome of St. Peter's Basilica is brightly lit by dozens of torches; while above Sant'Angelo castel the party 'explodes' with fireworks.
The traditional events of the festival
The 2020 edition of the anniversary of the patron saints will see the lighting up Pinwheel of Michelangelo in digital version. La Girandola, conceived by Cav. Giuseppe Passeri, is organized and implemented by the IX Invicta Group and is supported by the honor committee chaired by Federico Mollicone. For eight consecutive years the Girandola, "The wonder of time“, Illuminated Castel Sant'Angelo with its baroque splendor. In 2016, Michelangelo's Pinwheel was then moved to the Pincio.
This year, for the anniversary of the patrons, the 14th will take place digital edition of the historical re-enactment of the Pinwheel of Rome visible online on the iltempo.it website. Meanwhile, for the 2020 party, the "Street vendors of Forte dei Marmi". This is the'exclusive appointment with the most famous market event in Italy. The very famous boutiques outside, will exhibit the best of made in Italy craftsmanship for leather goods. And, again, fine cashmere garments, new fashion collections, Florentine art fabrics: all high quality merchandise. With the "Ambulanti di Forte dei Marmi" appointment on Monday 29 June on Lungotevere Testaccio, ex Slaughterhouse (Metro B, Piramide stop).
