FIRST - Pope of the Catholic Church - Bloomfield, CT
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 41° 48.935 W 072° 41.280
18T E 692032 N 4631884
A statue of Saint Peter, the first Pope of the Catholic Church, is located on the northeast quadrant of Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, CT.
Waymark Code: WM12D19
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 05/02/2020
Views: 1
A life size bronze statue of Saint Peter depicts the saint wearing a tunic, robe, and sandals His forearms are contain within the robe and he is supporting a pair of very large keys with is right hand hand holding them next to his chest with his left hand. He stands on a granite base. The front of the base is inscribed:
PETER
APOSTLE AND FIRST POPE
YOU ARE PETER AND
UPON THIS ROCK I
WILL BUILD MY CHURCH
Peter's original name was Simon, son of Jonah. He was later called Peter by Jesus. Simon called Peter, along with his brother Andrew, were fishermen who were recruited by Jesus to be his first apostles. According to Matthew 4:18-19:
"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
According to Matthew 16:18-19 Jesus named him Peter, which is derived from the Greek word Petros meaning stone or rock. Hence, these Bible verses are the source of the inscription "upon this rock I will build my church." Thus, Simon called Peter was given the keys to the kingdom heaven and according to Roman Catholic tradition became the first pope.
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Peter along with the apostles James and John are the original founders of the church. Peter founded the church in Antioch before coming to Rome. According to church tradition Peter became a martyr when he was crucified in Rome around the year 64.
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