The Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter: Where Peter was Reinstated
The Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter in Tabgha, Israel, is traditionally believed to be the place where Jesus Christ reinstated Peter as the chief among the Apostles.
Biblical Context
The event is described in the Gospel of John (John 21:1-24). After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples for the third time on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples had been fishing all night without success. At dawn, Jesus appeared on the shore, although the disciples did not realize it was him. He told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, and they caught a large number of fish. This miracle made the disciple John realize that it was Jesus on the shore. Peter, hearing this, jumped into the water and swam to shore, while the other disciples followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish.
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus invited them to bring some of the fish they had caught and join him for breakfast. After they had eaten, Jesus reinstated Peter (after his denial of Christ before the crucifixion) with the words “Feed my sheep,” making him the shepherd of his flock, which is seen as the establishment of Peter’s pastoral authority over the Church.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
The Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter's Architecture
The current Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter was built in 1933 and incorporates parts of an earlier 4th-century church. At the base of its walls, one can see the remains of the original mosaics. One of the main features inside the church is a projection of limestone rock in front of the present altar, known as “Mensa Christi” or Christ’s Table. It is traditionally believed to be the spot where Jesus laid out a breakfast of bread and fish for the Apostles, and reinstated Peter, after the Resurrection.
The Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter is modest and tranquil, with a simple and unadorned design. It is built of black basalt stones, which gives it a unique and distinct appearance. The interior is equally humble, with a central nave and two aisles. The floor is paved with plain, white mosaics, and the roof is made of wood.
Outside the church there is an ancient staircase. This is the staircase that is probably identified by the pilgrim Egeria in 383 AD. She wrote in her detailed account of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land: “Not far away from there [Capharnaum] are some stone steps where the Lord stood”.
Sources and Additional Reading
Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter
Archeological findings
- The Lower Church:The lower level of the church features a Romanesque design, inspired by the Crusader architecture of the Holy Land. It serves as a place for quiet reflection and prayer.
- The Upper Church: Ascending to the upper level, visitors are greeted by a breathtaking display of Byzantine-inspired art and architecture. The dome, adorned with magnificent mosaics depicting the transfiguration of Jesus, captures the transcendent nature of this biblical event.
- The Three Chapels: Within the Church of Transfiguration, three chapels pay homage to the key figures of the transfiguration story. The central chapel is dedicated to Jesus, while the chapels on the sides are devoted to Moses and Elijah, symbolizing their presence during the transfiguration.
Nearby Sites
- Church of the Multiplication: Located in Tabgha, near Capernaum, this church is traditionally believed to be the site where Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish.
Capernaum: Known as Jesus’ “own city”, Capernaum was the center of his ministry after he left Nazareth. The town is home to a modern church built over the house of Peter.
- Magdala: Magdala is a crossroads of Jewish and Christian History and the hometown of Mary Magdalene.
- Yardenit: This is a baptismal site located on a beautiful stretch of the Jordan River near the southern tip of the Lake of Gennesaret.
