I would like to address the Copts of Egypt and around the world on the Feast of the Apostles, which the Coptic Church celebrates on Saturday, July 12, 2025. This day commemorates the martyrdom of the Apostles Peter and Paul by Emperor Nero. The Feast of the Apostles is preceded by a fast that is called the Apostles’ Fast, which is considered the oldest fast known to the Christian Church since its establishment. It begins after the Feasts of Ascension and Pentecost.The Lord Jesus Himself alluded to this fast when “the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast”And Jesus said to them, “Can thefriends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” (Matthew 9:14-15). Thus, the apostles fasted, and the fast has been practiced through generations till this day.
The Apostles are the twelve disciples of the Lord Jesus: “And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles” (Luke 6:13). The seventy apostles are those whom the Lord Jesus later appointed. “After these things the Lord appointed [a]seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.”(Luke 10:1). As mentioned in the previous article, martyrdom began in the era of the Apostles, and we see this clearly in the life of the Lord Jesus’ disciples. All of them were martyred for their faith except for Saint John the Beloved, the Evangelist Apostle.
Paul the Apostle (Saul of Tarsus) is added to the Apostles of the Lord Jesus, as the Lord Jesus personally called him to faith: “Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”” (Acts 9:1-5(.
In Damascus, he met Ananias the Apostle and was baptized by him. He spent a period of time in the Arabian Desert, where he received faith directly from the Lord: “But I make known to you, brethren,that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.”(Galatians 1:11-12.)
Now, in a quick overview, we will shed light on the disciples of the Lord Jesus.
Apostle Peter
Apostle Peter was previously named, Simon, the son of Jonah, the first whom the Lord called. He had three names: Peter (Greek), Cephas (Aramaic), and Safa (Arabic). All three names mean rock. He was born in the city of Bethsaida, but lived in Capernaum. He was a fisherman, and the Lord called him with his brother Andrew to follow Him and become His disciples, so they left everything and followed Him.
Apostle Peter is mentioned as one of the three closest disciples to the Lord —Peter, James, and John—who witnessed a number of miracles and events exclusively revealed to them, such as the raising of Jairus’ daughter and the Transfiguration. Saint Peter was distinguished by his intense love for the Lord Jesus; Simon Peter’s house became a central point for the Lord Jesus’s ministry in Galilee and witnessed many events and miracles.
After the Resurrection and ascension of the Lord and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and apostles, Apostle Peter preached about the Lord in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria for about 12 years; and in Antioch and Asia Minor and to the Jewish community in Babylon; many believed through him.
He visited Rome at the end of his life, where he was martyred by crucifixion, head downwards, byNero, the Roman Emperor.
