By Robert Mann
St. Peter's Basilica in the heart of Vatican City is not only the largest of all the Christian Churches, it is also considered to be the "greatest of all churches of Christendom". It is regarded among Catholics to be the spot where St. Peter himself was entombed. He was given this honor because he was one of Christ's apostles and the first Bishop of Rome, making him the first in a long line of papacy.
After the death of Jesus, Peter was instrumental in the establishment of the Christian Church. In 64 AD after serving as a leader of this church for 30 years, Peter traveled to Rome. Emperor Nero had Peter executed, one of the many acts of martyrdom of Christ's followers that occurred in Rome. According to the story, Peter was crucified but not in the same manner as Christ. He was hung head down because Peter himself requested it, thinking himself not worthy to die in the same way that Christ did.
Peter was then buried on Vatican Hill near the very spot where he was killed. A single rock marked his grave. Years later a shrine was erected on this spot to forever mark the place where St. Peter was martyred. This shrine was included inside the original construction of St. Peter's Basilica in the 4th century beneath the altar. St. Peter became the first of many popes to be buried in this spot and this continued even after the construction of the current Basilica in the 1500s.
Starting in 1939, the Vatican began sending archeological teams beneath the basilica in an effort to locate St. Peter's tomb and any other items of importance to the church. An entire complex of pagan mausoleums were discovered as well as a number of graves. Also discovered was a structure that was believed to be a monument to mark the spot of St. Peter's grave. The bones of four men were discovered, among them those of a man between the ages of 60 and 70. This set of remains was removed without the knowledge of the lead archeologist and were stored away from the site where they would be safe until further study could be done.
Pope Pious XII wanted to let the world know of the discoveries that have been made beneath the basilica. In 1950 he did so, by announcing that Saint Peter's tomb had indeed been located. But he was cautious with his words and stated that while the tomb had been discovered, there was at that point no proof that the bones in it belonged to Saint Peter.
In 1963 Pope Paul VI became pope. He gave permission to the original archeologist who discovered the bones, an old family friend, to begin study on the bones again. He documented his findings in a book called The Remains of Saint Peter published in 1965. It was these findings that prompted Pope Paul in June of 1968 to inform the world that the bones of St. Peter had indeed been found beneath St. Peter's Basilica.
About the Author:
For up to date Christian news headlines from around the globe, visit www.echristiannews.com. You can also visit eMinistryJobs.com for research on ministry and worship leader jobs (http://www.eministryjobs.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-Worship+Leader) .
St. Peter's Basilica in the heart of Vatican City is not only the largest of all the Christian Churches, it is also considered to be the "greatest of all churches of Christendom". It is regarded among Catholics to be the spot where St. Peter himself was entombed. He was given this honor because he was one of Christ's apostles and the first Bishop of Rome, making him the first in a long line of papacy.
After the death of Jesus, Peter was instrumental in the establishment of the Christian Church. In 64 AD after serving as a leader of this church for 30 years, Peter traveled to Rome. Emperor Nero had Peter executed, one of the many acts of martyrdom of Christ's followers that occurred in Rome. According to the story, Peter was crucified but not in the same manner as Christ. He was hung head down because Peter himself requested it, thinking himself not worthy to die in the same way that Christ did.
Peter was then buried on Vatican Hill near the very spot where he was killed. A single rock marked his grave. Years later a shrine was erected on this spot to forever mark the place where St. Peter was martyred. This shrine was included inside the original construction of St. Peter's Basilica in the 4th century beneath the altar. St. Peter became the first of many popes to be buried in this spot and this continued even after the construction of the current Basilica in the 1500s.
Starting in 1939, the Vatican began sending archeological teams beneath the basilica in an effort to locate St. Peter's tomb and any other items of importance to the church. An entire complex of pagan mausoleums were discovered as well as a number of graves. Also discovered was a structure that was believed to be a monument to mark the spot of St. Peter's grave. The bones of four men were discovered, among them those of a man between the ages of 60 and 70. This set of remains was removed without the knowledge of the lead archeologist and were stored away from the site where they would be safe until further study could be done.
Pope Pious XII wanted to let the world know of the discoveries that have been made beneath the basilica. In 1950 he did so, by announcing that Saint Peter's tomb had indeed been located. But he was cautious with his words and stated that while the tomb had been discovered, there was at that point no proof that the bones in it belonged to Saint Peter.
In 1963 Pope Paul VI became pope. He gave permission to the original archeologist who discovered the bones, an old family friend, to begin study on the bones again. He documented his findings in a book called The Remains of Saint Peter published in 1965. It was these findings that prompted Pope Paul in June of 1968 to inform the world that the bones of St. Peter had indeed been found beneath St. Peter's Basilica.
About the Author:
For up to date Christian news headlines from around the globe, visit www.echristiannews.com. You can also visit eMinistryJobs.com for research on ministry and worship leader jobs (http://www.eministryjobs.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-Worship+Leader) .