"He then not putting faith in God a whit the more, set himself with still greater zeal to the study of the whole magic art, that he might the better bewilder and overpower multitudes of men. Such was his procedure in the reign of Claudius Caesar, by whom he was honoured with a statue on account of his magical power. This man was glorified by many as if he were a god, and he taught that it was himself who appeared among the Jews as the Son, but descended in Samaria as the Father, while he came to other nations in the character of the Holy Spirit. He represented himself, in a word, as being the loftiest of all powers, that is, the Being who is the Father over all, and he allowed himself to be called by whatsoever title men were pleased to address him."[Vs 1]
"Now this Simon, from whom all sorts of heresies derive their origin . . . conferred salvation upon men . . . for men are saved through his grace, not on account of their own righteous actions." [Verse 3]
"Thus then, the mystic priests belonging to this sect both lead profligate lives and practice the magical arts, each one of them to the extent of his ability. They use exorcisms and incantations. . . and whatever othe curious arts can be had recourse to, are eagerly pressed into their service. They also have an image of Simon fashioned after the likeness of Jupiter, and another of Helena in the shape of Minerva; and these they worship. In fine they have a name derived from Simon, the author of these impious doctrines, being called Simonians; and from them, 'knowledge falsely so-called' received its beginning, as one may learn from their assertions." [Verse 4]
"The successor of this man was Menander, also a Samaritan by birth, and he too was a perfect adept in the practice of magic. He affirms . . . that he himself is the person who has been sent forth from the presence of the invisible beings as a saviour for the deliverance of men . . . He gives too as he affirms, by that magic which he teaches, knowledge to this effect, that one may overcome those very angels that made the world; for his disciples obtain a resurrection by being baptized unto him, and can die no more, but remain in possession of immortal youth." [Verse 5]
This magician Simon who sat in a sacerdotal chair in Rome for 25 years? whose followers were "called Christians", was called by these "so-called Christians" many appellations including: the Father {Pater}, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and others ..... conferring "salvation by grace" unto those who were "baptized unto him". Where is the magisterium of this ancient religious sect founded by Simon the Magician today? Still in Rome?
Interesting word....Pater.
Peter, Pator, Patre, Padre, Patora, Preter was the name given to many ancient heathen Gods. The term always meaning "inter"preters" of sacred knowledge. In many ancient cultures the father was the chief priest of the family and became known as Pator. The head Pator was the Arch Pator....or the "Patriarch".
The early Roman writer "Lucilius" mentions that Neptune, Liber, Saturn, Mars, Janus and Quirnus were all Paters.... Chief Gods......especially Ju-Piter. Jupiter was the Roman way of saying "Zeus Peter" and was the chief god of the Greeks.
The pagan God, Artemis is pictured standing by a stone pillar....a phallic symbol which became known as Petras....or simply a "Peter". Yes, there was a Peter in Rome.....early in the first century.....for about 25 years. It was not the Apostle Peter....it was Simon "Pator" Magus.