Celebrating the Confession of St. Peter

The Celebration of the Confession of St. Peter, celebrated each year on January 18, marks a pivotal moment in the Gospels when Peter boldly declares,

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”— Matthew 16:16

This confession is recognized by the Church as an epiphany, a divine revelation of Jesus’ identity, given by the Holy Spirit, and is celebrated during the season of Epiphany, a time set aside for reflecting on how God reveals Himself to the world through Jesus Christ.

Peter’s bold declaration not only affirms Jesus as the Messiah but also becomes the foundation upon which the Church is built. Jesus responds with these powerful words:

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”— Matthew 16:17–18

Where Did Peter Make This Confession?

Understanding the location of Peter’s confession is essential to grasping its full significance.

This declaration takes place in the region of Caesarea Philippi, about 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee at the base of Mount Hermon. It was well beyond the area of Jesus’ usual ministry in Galilee and required a deliberate journey to reach.

Caesarea Philippi was a major center of pagan worship and a hub of Roman influence in Jesus’ time. The city was known for its shrines to Greek and Roman gods, especially the god Pan, worshipped as a deity of nature and fertility. Rituals in his honor included offerings, celebrations, and even temple prostitution, practices that would have been deeply offensive to Jewish sensibilities.

One particularly prominent feature of the area was a large grotto, part of a temple complex dedicated to Pan. Locals referred to this grotto as the “Gates of Hades” and believed it to be a literal portal to the underworld. The place was filled with spiritual darkness and superstition.

In addition to its religious importance, Caesarea Philippi was also a political center. Herod Philip had named the city in honor of Caesar Augustus and himself, further tying it to worldly power and Roman control.

For Jesus and His disciples, this would have been an unusual and likely uncomfortable place to be, making it all the more significant that this is where Jesus chose to elicit and respond to Peter’s confession.

Why It Matters

By choosing Caesarea Philippi for this moment, Jesus sets His revelation in direct contrast to the idolatry, immorality, and political might that surrounded them.

In this spiritually dark and morally corrupt setting, Peter declares:“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

It’s a powerful, public acknowledgment of truth in the face of deception. And it is in this very place that Jesus replies, “The gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” That statement wasn’t metaphorical, it was a pointed response to the pagan belief that the grotto behind them led to the underworld.

Jesus is declaring His supremacy over death, darkness, and all the powers of this world. The Church, built on the confession of Christ as Lord, will stand firm even at the gates of hell.

In a place known for false gods and imperial power, the true identity of Christ was revealed, and the mission of the Church was set into motion: to bring light into the world.

Why Do We Celebrate the Confession of St. Peter?

Peter’s confession is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It reveals Jesus’ identity as the Messiah and lays the foundation for the Church’s formation and mission. But more than that, this moment is not simply Peter’s personal opinion, it’s a divine revelation, given to him by the Holy Spirit.

The Church celebrates this feast as a way to reflect on:

• The power of the Holy Spirit in revealing truth

• The importance of bold, Spirit-led faith

• The centrality of Jesus Christ in all we do

• The ongoing need for unity in the Church

It is also an invitation to examine our own lives:Where is God asking us to make a bold confession of faith today?

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

This feast also marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs from January 18–25 and concludes with the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul.

Throughout this octave, Christians of all denominations are invited to pray for reconciliation, unity, and shared witness in a world that so desperately needs the light of Christ. If you’d like to participate in the week of prayer, here is a free PDF of the scriptures and prayers -

Scriptures for Christian Unity.pdf

Download PDF • 26KB

I also created a family craft for the week - little braided heart baskets made from construction paper that you can fill with small candies and the prayer for each day.

Ways to Celebrate the Confession of St. Peter

• Read Matthew 16:13–20

  Reflect on the cultural and spiritual setting of Peter’s confession.Ask:

  • How does Peter’s boldness inspire my own confession of faith?

  • What has God revealed to me this Epiphanytide?

• Pray for Christian Unity

  The Feast of the Confession of St. Peter also marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which runs from January 18 to January 25, concluding with the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. This octave of prayer emphasizes the call for unity among Christians of all denominations.

• Make Braided Bread

  Since we are praying for unity, make Breaded Loaf Bread. Braided bread is a powerful symbol of unity because of its intertwined strands, which visually and symbolically represent the bringing together of separate parts into one whole. Each strand retains its individuality but contributes to a beautiful, cohesive design, much like how individuals or groups come together to form a unified community!

  
  

Let’s remember that in a world filled with confusion and chaos, the Church is still built on the confession:

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

the recipe -

Braided Loaf Bread.pdf

Download PDF • 68KB

Braided Loaf Bread

Dough:

3/4 cup warm water (95 to 110 degrees)

One 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast

3 teaspoons sugar

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the work surface

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3 tablespoons canola oil

2 large eggs

cooking spray

Topping:

1 large egg

1 teaspoon heavy cream

2 teaspoons sesame seeds

To make the dough: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the warm water, the yeast, and 1 teaspoon of the sugar. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.

In a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the flour, remaining 2 teaspoons sugar, and the salt.

With the mixer on low speed, pour in the yeast mixture, the remaining 1/2 cup warm water, the oil, and eggs. Mix on medium speed for 5 minutes, until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides.

Spray a large bowl lightly with cooking spray and place the dough in the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Punch down the dough to release the air. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 3 equal portions. Roll each into a ball and then into a 15-inch-long rope.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the 3 ropes parallel to one another on the pan. Starting at one end of the dough ropes, carefully braid them. Pinch the ends to seal and tuck the ends underneath the braid so that only the braid shows.

Lightly cover the pan with plastic wrap and let rise until pillowy, about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

To prepare the topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and cream. Gently brush it over the dough. Sprinkle the dough with the sesame seeds.

Bake until golden brown, about 28 minutes. Let the loaf cool for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 40 minutes, before serving.

Recipe from www.magnolia.com