those who sail with you.” Eventually, the ship found itself upon the shores
of Malta. There, the crew and all the passengers remained for the winter,
leaving for Italy in spring. Early in 61 AD, St. Paul arrived in Rome.
“…you must stand before Caesar.” So did St. Paul, though we know
nothing of what he said or how Nero reacted. In most probability, St. Paul
was kept under house arrest for two years and then released for lack of
evidence. The Jews apparently let the case go by default. Throughout, and
with St. Luke at his side (composing now the Acts of the Apostles), St. Paul
followed in the footsteps of the Fisherman and preached Jesus Christ in the
capital of the Empire: “And he lived there two whole years at his own
expense, and welcomed all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of
God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and
unhindered.” Details of these two years in Rome are found in the
“Captivity Epistles” (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon), which
were written by St. Paul during this time.
By now (62-63 AD), St. Peter was again back in Rome for his third and
final sojourn. This sojourn would last five years and encompass the burning
of Rome and the Neronian persecution, climaxing in his glorious
martyrdom. Before these troubles, though, St. Peter would compose his two
canonical letters and work tirelessly with St. Mark in the continued
building of the Church. It was perhaps during 63 AD that St. Paul fulfilled
his desire to travel to Spain, though no record or tradition survives to
provide any details. At the outbreak of the Neronian persecution we find
him again in Rome, only to flee soon afterwards with St. Luke to Greece.
Themes for study:
St. Paul’s third missionary journey;
St. Peter’s second missionary journey to Asia Minor;
St. Peter’s second and third sojourns in Rome;
St. Paul’s fourth journey to Rome, and perhaps to Spain.
Further reading:
Acts of the Apostles, chapters 19-28;
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