THE CHAINS OF ST PETER THE APOSTLE
The chains of St Peter the Apostle find their origins in the Bible:
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “arise quickly!” And his chains fell of his hands.” (Acts 12: 1-7)
The chains mentioned in this passage are commemorated on January 16th. They have an interesting history and are known to heal those who venerate them. Remember, even St. Peter’s shadow healed people (Acts 5:15).
After St. Peter escaped prison, some local Christians took the chains and kept them. 400 years later Patriarch Juvenal presented the chains to Empress Eudoxia, who later gave them to her daughter. Her daughter, also named Eudoxia, built a Church in Rome on the Esquiline hill and placed the venerable relics in it.
LOCATION
The chains of St. Peter are located in Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome Italy.
The chains of St Peter are easy to find because the Basilica is just north of the Colosseum on Via Eudossiana (Remember the story about how the relics came to Rome. Empress Eudoxia gave the Chains to her daughter Eudoxia, thus why the road bears her name).
Once there, head inside the Church and towards the front altar. Like in many Churches in Rome, there will be a stairwell heading down and below the altar.
The relics are below the altar.
Make sure to go there during visitor hours, otherwise you’ll be locked out and will have to come back the next day.
This area of Rome contains many saints relics, so while you are near the Colosseum you can venerate the relics of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, The Manger, St. Alexis the Man of God, Blessed Jerome, and others.
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