medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Dennis Martin ended his insightful reply to Phyllis Jestice:
Peter and Paul each have a separate day on their own: the conversion of St.
Paul, the Chair of Peter elsewhere in the calendar. But June 29th is the
feast of their martrydom, followed on June 30 by the commemoration of the
rest of the martyrs of the Neronian persecution. Since the calendar of
saints days in the Roman Rite grew out of the martyrology of the Roman
diocese, it is not surprising that Peter and Paul would be put together.
They are named together and at the head of, distinct from the rest of the
list of other Roman martyrs in the Canon of the Roman Rite. This indicates
a very ancient practice of honoring them in one breath as the protomartyrs
of the Church of Rome.
I don't know how ancient the June 30th celebration of the martyrs of the
Neronian persecution is. I suspect it is a more modern addition, but
perhaps someone else knows.
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The celebration of the Protomartyrs of the Roman Church on 30 June was added
to the General Roman Calendar in the revision of 1970. Prior to that, 30
June was given to a 'Comemoration of St. Paul.' (A bit of balance to the
strong primacy of place Peter had in the Mass and Office texts of the joint
celebration on 29 June.) Of course, there could perhaps have been a
'Protomartyrs' celebration in the particular calender of the Roman diocese.
Or one may have appeared in the General Roman Calendar at some earlier
period. (IIRC, it does not appear in the General Calender of the _Editio
Princeps_ of either the _MR_ or _BR_.) Some calendar specialist may know.
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