St. Peter: The Fisherman Who Became the Rock of the Church
By Bishop Gabriel Obiano, D.D. When you hear the name St. Peter, what comes to mind? For many, he is the Apostle with the keys, the first pope, or the bold fisherman who denied Jesus three times. But Peter’s life and role in the Church is far deeper than these familiar details. Understanding Peter is to understand how Christ laid the foundation of His Church. Let's walk through who Peter was, his role as a disciple, his leadership in the early Church, and even some rare details you may not have heard before. Who Was St. Peter? Peter’s original name was Simon, a fisherman from Bethsaida in Galilee. He worked alongside his brother Andrew when Jesus called them, saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Jesus gave Simon a new name: Cephas (Aramaic) or Petros (Greek), which means “rock.” This renaming wasn’t accidental—it was prophetic. Christ was setting Simon apart for a foundational role in salvation history. Peter as a Disciple of Jesus Peter is perh...