Peter

Peter was a Jewish fisherman in Bethsaida (John 1:44). He was named Simon, the son of a man named Jonah or John. The three Synoptic Gospels report that Peter's mother-in-law was healed by Jesus at their home in Capernaum (Matthew 8:14–17, Mark 1:29–31, Luke 4:38); indicating that Peter was married or widowed. 1 Corinthians 9:5 has also been taken to imply that he was married.  ( Clement of Alexandria claimed that Peter's wife was executed for her faith by the Roman authorities but does not specify any date or location.)

The Gospels and Acts portray Peter as the most prominent apostle, though he denied Jesus three times during the events of the crucifixion. According to the Christian tradition, Peter was the first disciple to whom Jesus appeared, balancing Peter's denial and restoring his position. Peter is regarded as the first leader of the early Church, though he was soon eclipsed in this leadership by James the Just, "the brother of the Lord."

Tradition taught that Peter was the first Patriarch of Antioch, amnd according to the writings of Origen and Eusebius, had founded the church of Antioch. There is no obvious biblical evidence that Peter was ever in Rome, but the first epistle of Peter does mention that "The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son."

The writings of the 1st century Church Father Ignatius refer to Peter and Paul giving admonitions to the Romans, indicating Peter's presence in Rome. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130 – c. 202) wrote that Peter and Paul had been the founders of the Church in Rome and had appointed Linus as succeeding bishop. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150 – c. 215) states that "Peter had preached the Word publicly at Rome (A.D. 190)."

According to Origen (184–253)and Eusebius,Peter "after having first founded the church at Antioch, went away to Rome preaching the Gospel, and he also, after [presiding over] the church in Antioch, presided over that of Rome until his death". Lactantius, in his book written around 318, noted that "and while Nero reigned, the Apostle Peter came to Rome, and, through the power of God committed unto him, wrought certain miracles, and, by turning many to the true religion, built up a faithful and stedfast temple unto the Lord."

According to Jerome (327–420): "Peter went to Rome in the second year of Claudius to overthrow Simon Magus, and held the sacerdotal chair there for twenty-five years until the last, that is the fourteenth, year of Nero."