Apostolic welcome: The significance of Saints Peter and Paul at St. Peter Cathedral

At the heart of downtown Erie stands St. Peter Cathedral, the mother church of the Diocese of Erie and a sacred place where architecture and theology meet in quiet harmony. One of the cathedral’s most striking and meaningful features often goes unnoticed until a worshipper reaches for the handle of the door. There, sculpted in metal, are the figures of Saints Peter and Paul, two of the most significant apostles in the life of the church. This design choice is both deeply symbolic and rich in theological meaning, offering a powerful reminder of the faith handed down through the ages.

These door handles are not merely ornamental; they are a reflection of the church’s foundation. Saint Peter, called by Christ to be the rock upon which the church is built, represents the authority and unity of the Catholic Church. Saint Paul, converted by grace and sent to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, symbolizes evangelization and missionary zeal. Together, they stand as pillars of the Catholic faith. Their presence on the cathedral doors invites every person who enters to walk in the footsteps of the apostles and to take part in the life and mission of the church.

This tactile encounter with Peter and Paul is especially meaningful in the context of their shared feast day on June 29. The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul is one of the oldest celebrations in the liturgical calendar, commemorating the martyrdom of both apostles in Rome. Though their missions differed, the church honors them together on this day to express their united witness to Christ. Pope Benedict XVI once noted that “Peter and Paul are inseparable; together they represent the whole Gospel of Christ.” Their feast is a celebration of the church’s apostolic roots and a call to remain faithful to the truth they proclaimed.

The placement of these two saints on the cathedral doors echoes the church’s tradition of portraying saints in sacred spaces to teach and inspire the faithful. While saints are often depicted in stained glass windows or statues, it is rare for their likenesses to serve as the very means of entering a church. At St. Peter Cathedral, the faithful are reminded, quite literally at their fingertips, that the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles, with Christ as the cornerstone. The simple act of opening the door becomes a physical gesture of entering into communion with the church’s history, mission and community.

As the Diocese of Erie joins the universal church in celebrating the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, these door handles become more than architectural features. They are a quiet but profound testament to the living tradition of the church, an invitation to enter more deeply into the mystery of faith, through the lives and witness of two men who gave everything for the sake of the Gospel.