Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter
The Veneration of the Honorable Chains of the Holy and All-Praised Apostle Peter: In about the year 42, on the orders of Herod Agrippa, the Apostle Peter was thrown into prison for preaching about Christ the Savior. In prison he was held secure by two iron chains. During the night before his trial, an angel of the Lord removed these chains from the Apostle Peter and led him out from the prison (Acts 12:1-11).
This is also the reading for Today from Acts.
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
Christians who learned of the miracle took the chains and kept them as precious keepsakes. For three centuries the chains were kept in Jerusalem, and those who were afflicted with illness and approached them with faith received healing.
From Bible Hub – Topical Encyclopedia
In this passage, the “four squads of four soldiers each” indicates that Peter was guarded by a total of sixteen soldiers, divided into four groups or quaternions. This arrangement was likely intended to ensure maximum security, with each quaternion taking turns to guard the prisoner in shifts, thus maintaining constant vigilance.
The Roman military was known for its discipline and organization, and the use of quaternions was a standard practice for guarding important prisoners. Each quaternion would typically consist of four soldiers, with two soldiers chained to the prisoner and two standing guard outside the cell. This method minimized the risk of escape or rescue attempts, as the soldiers were rotated regularly to remain alert.
God doesn’t always deliver His Saints in such a miraculous way, but Peter still had a ministry to fulfill. And his place was to testify to the Emperor.
From Wikipedia:
Early Church tradition says that Peter died by crucifixion (with arms outstretched) at the time of the Great Fire of Rome in the year 64. This probably took place three months after the disastrous fire that destroyed Rome for which the emperor Nero wished to blame the Christians.
In the epilogue of the Gospel of John, Jesus is presented as hinting at Peter’s death: “But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” This is interpreted by some as a reference to Peter’s crucifixion
This prediction was in:
John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
Righteous Hierodeacon Makarios of Kalogeras
The Theological School of Patmos was founded by the deacon Makarios Kalogeras in 1713 AD and is situated on the hillside directly above the Cave of the Apocalypse. The school is a spiritual legacy of St. Christodoulos of Patmos who included it in his original plans for the island of Patmos; Emperor Alexios I issued a deed of title in which he mentions it to be “an abode of learning where local disciples will gather.”
Romilo the Monk of Mount Athos
Nicholas the New-Martyr of Mytilene
Peusippos, Elasippos, and Mesippos the siblings, and their grandmother Neonilla
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