Peter’s Tomb Recently Discovered In Jerusalem

http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/peters-jerusalem-tomb.htm ^ | 1953 | F. PAUL PETERSON

[flevit]

In Jerusalem I spoke to many Franciscan priests who all read, finally, though reluctantly, that the bones of Simon Bar Jona (St. Peter) were found in Jerusalem, on the Franciscan monastery site called, "Dominus Flevit" (where Jesus was supposed to have wept over Jerusalem), on the Mount of Olives. The pictures show the story. The first show an excavation where the names of Christian Biblical characters were found on the ossuaries (bone boxes). The names of Mary and Martha were found on one box and right next to it was one with the name of Lazarus, their brother. Other names of early Christians were found on other boxes. Of greatest interest, however, was that which was found within twelve feet from the place where the remains of Mary, Martha and Lazarus were found—the remains of St. Peter. They were found in an ossuary, on the outside of which was clearly and beautifully written in Aramaic, "Simon Bar Jona".

[Campion]

You Catholics like to pick and choose which history to believe.

Not on this issue, bud. Eusebius says flatly that Peter was in Rome, and died there. There's not a shred of evidence to the contrary.

[HarleyD]

I'm not sure I agree with this article that the remains were in Jerusalem. According to Eusebius and confirmed by Caius a member of the Church under bishop (Pope) Zephyrinus Peter and Paul were buried in a cemetary outside Rome (not a tomb). Zephyrinus was bishop (Pope) around 190+ AD. If so, the remains being buried in a cemetary would not be pleasent even if they were moved to a tomb. Here is the quote for Eusebius, History II, Chap 25:

"This account of Peter and Paul is substantiated by the fact that their names are preserved in the cemeteries of that place even to the present day. It is confirmed likewise by Caius, a member of the Church, who arose under Zephyrinus, bishop of Rome."

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

To Arms!!! Defenders of the Faith Ping List!!

[flevit]

not trying to prove anything.

just trying to find out more on this subject...

shimon bar yonah, found in a 1 cent, christian burial ground, with names like lazarus, mary, martha, shappira,

again you could be right (not conclusive), but its not a "lack of evidence"

[Pyro7480]

According to Eusebius and confirmed by Caius a member of the Church under bishop (Pope) Zephyrinus Peter and Paul were buried in a cemetary outside Rome (not a tomb).

This is essentially true. At this time, the ancient city of Rome was only on one side of the Tiber, sitting on top of the famous seven hills, and surrounded by a wall. Where the present-day St. Peter's Basilica stands was outside of those boundaries.

[HarleyD]

Here is an interesting statement from Eusebius:

"For whoever knows him can understand that nothing was condemned by Nero unless it was something of great excellence. Thus publicly announcing himself as the first among God's chief enemies, he was led on to the slaughter of the apostles. It is, therefore, recorded that Paul was beheaded in Rome itself, and that Peter likewise was crucified under Nero."

Ref: http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/250102.htm

I found the last sentence interesting. Eusebius doesn't say Peter was crucified in Rome, only that he was crucified by Nero. He makes a clear distinction between Paul (who was crucified in Rome) and Peter (who ???). I suppose its possible Peter could have been crucified elsewhere and his body buried in the cemetary. I'll have to do more research into this.

[NYer]

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[eastsider]

The earliest patristic work I am aware of that references Peter's martyrdom in Rome is the Letter of Clement to the Corinthians (from written during the apostolic age, ca. 90 A.D.), Chapter 5:

But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars [of the Church] have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labours, and when he had finally suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.

[Campion]

To be extremely picky, Peter wasn't crucified or buried "in Rome itself" -- the Vatican hill was outside the city limits at that time.

[BlackElk]

Ping for later

[flevit]

I am sorry, but it does not mention rome??? is this an inference from peter and him being a pillar???

[HarleyD]

Do you have any Protestant citations? :O)

[r9etb]

Underground, persecuted sects don't leave truckloads of documents lying around.

Oh, I don't know -- the salamikazes seem to be doing a lot of that in Iraq and Afghanistan.... ;-)

[ventana]

One of the Ossuaries also said Yeshua (Jesus) on it.

What might that be that evidence of?

Peter was held in VERY high regard while he was in Jerusalem. People used to bring their sick and lay them at the side of the street he walked on just so his shadow would fall on them (Acts further says many were healed just from that). If the Jesus inscription was a dedication rather than the name of the owner of the bones (as claimed in the second article), so might the the inscription of Simon Bar Jonah.

v.

[eastsider]

The reference is inferential, not implied. We know the letter comes from Rome and we know that Paul was martyred in Rome. The inference is that both of the examples being furnished from "our own generation" -- Peter and Paul -- were from Rome. Nothing conclusive whatsoever, nor do I offer it as such.

The next earliest writing,the Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans (ca. 110 A.D.), Chapter 4, is inferential as well:

I write to all the Churches, and impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me. I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable goodwill towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and am ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of God. Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing of my body; so that when I have fallen asleep [in death], I may not be found troublesome to any one. Then shall I be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Entreat the Lord for me, that by these instruments I may be found a sacrifice to God. I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you. They were apostles of Jesus Christ, but I am the very least [of believers]: they were free, as the servants of God; while I am, even until now, a servant. But when I suffer, I shall be the freedman of Jesus Christ, and shall rise again emancipated in Him. And now, being in bonds for Him, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain.

Peter and Paul are joined together in the early writings precisely because they were both martyred in Rome.

[Romulus]

The non-canonical Acts of Peter and Acts of Peter and Paul also are quite early and locate both apostles in Rome at the time of their martyrdoms. Ancient traditions, such as the crucifixion of Peter and the "Domine quo vadis" incident appear here as well. Consistent with historiographical standards and practices of their day, these documents are surely entitled to a respectful reading.

[eastsider]

I believe that the earliest "historical" (in the modern sense of the word) work to which Eusebius had access was Hegesippus' history of the Church at Rome. As I recall, Hegesippus was a second-century Syrian Christian who travelled to Rome specifically to gather whatever information he could while some of the Christians from the apostolic age were still living. His multi-volume work of the early history of Rome is no longer extant, and his work is known today only from derivative sources like Eusebius.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

This is a hoax.

[eastsider]

"Art Bell, Mr. Art Bell, please pick up the courtesy phone."