The Life and Martyrdom of St. Peter and St. Paul

The Life and Martyrdom of St. Peter and St. Paul presents one of the most compelling and least-known witnesses to the foundations of the Catholic Church. Attributed to St. Abdias of Babylon, a disciple of the Apostles and the first Patriarch of the Persian Church, this ancient account offers a vivid portrait of the missionary labors, confrontations, and martyrdoms of the Church’s two greatest Apostles.

Translated with clarity and fidelity by Fr. Robert Nixon, OSB, this volume draws from early Christian sources long revered in tradition, filling in narrative gaps left by Sacred Scripture. Readers encounter Peter and Paul not as distant icons, but as flesh-and-blood men preaching across the Roman world, confronting pagan power, enduring persecution, and sealing their witness with blood. Rich in historical detail, theological depth, and dramatic force, this work invites modern Catholics to rediscover the courage, authority, and sacrificial love upon which the Church was built.

In this book, you will learn:

• The historical circumstances surrounding the martyrdoms of Sts. Peter and Paul
• How early apostolic tradition complements and deepens the biblical narrative
• The missionary zeal and pastoral authority exercised by the Apostles
• Why martyrdom stands at the heart of the Church’s foundation
• How apostolic witness continues to shape Catholic faith and perseverance

This book is ideal for Catholics who want to deepen their understanding of the Church’s apostolic foundations. It will especially benefit readers interested in early Church history, apostolic tradition beyond the biblical canon, and historically grounded accounts of martyrdom. Clergy, educators, theology students, and devotional readers who value continuity, authority, and sacrifice in Catholic life will find this work particularly compelling.

From the book: 

“Simon, I do not dispute that you have performed some astonishing works… But do not confuse what you are with what another—namely, Jesus Christ—is. For He was not merely a miracle worker and a teacher, but the true Incarnation of God.”

“And so Peter grasped that it was surely his destiny to be arrested by the authorities and put to death by crucifixion… Turning back, he then bravely returned to the city of Rome, knowing full well that martyrdom awaited him there.”

“Come to me, my sons, so that you may come to believe in the true God… For this God whom I preached sent His only-begotten Son into the world, and raised Him from death to everlasting life.”

Key Themes

• Apostolic authority and missionary zeal
• Martyrdom as the seal of Christian witness
• Continuity between Scripture and early tradition
• Faith embodied in action and sacrifice
• The historical credibility of the Church’s foundations