The symbol of an upside-down cross, often termed the St. Peter’s Cross, carries a rich history and profound meaning within Christianity. However, it’s frequently misinterpreted, particularly by those outside or critical of the Catholic Church, as a satanic symbol. Understanding the true significance of the St. Peter’s Cross requires delving into its origins and historical context. This exploration reveals a powerful emblem of humility and faith, deeply rooted in the life and martyrdom of one of Christianity’s most revered figures, St. Peter.
The Origin of the St. Peter’s Cross: A Testament to Humility
The association of the inverted cross with St. Peter stems from the early traditions surrounding his death. According to historical accounts, St. Peter, considered the first Pope and a key apostle of Jesus Christ, was martyred in Rome. When faced with crucifixion, Peter, in a profound display of humility, requested to be crucified upside down. He felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ. This request wasn’t out of defiance, but out of deep reverence and recognition of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
This act of humility is powerfully echoed in the Gospels. In the Gospel of John (21:18-19), Jesus alludes to the manner of Peter’s death, saying:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”
The phrase “stretch out your hands” was widely understood in ancient Christian circles as a clear reference to crucifixion. Jesus’s command, “Follow me,” reinforces the idea that Peter’s death would be an imitation of Christ’s own sacrificial death on the cross. By accepting crucifixion, even in an inverted form, Peter was indeed following in the footsteps of his Lord.
Historical Evidence for St. Peter’s Martyrdom
The story of St. Peter’s upside-down crucifixion is not merely legend; it is supported by numerous early Christian writings. These early sources, dating back to the first few centuries of Christianity, provide compelling testimony to the historical reality of Peter’s martyrdom in Rome and the unique manner in which he was crucified.
Tertullian, writing around 200 AD, in De Præscriptione 36, stated:
If thou art near Italy, thou hast Rome where authority is ever within reach. How fortunate is this Church for which the Apostles have poured out their whole teaching with their blood, where Peter has emulated the Passion of the Lord, where Paul was crowned with the death of John.
Again, in Scorpiace 15, Tertullian further mentions Peter’s crucifixion:
And if a heretic wishes his confidence to rest upon a public record, the archives of the empire will speak, as would the stones of Jerusalem. We read the lives of the Cæsars: At Rome Nero was the first who stained with blood the rising faith. Then is Peter girt by another, when he is made fast to the cross. Then does Paul obtain a birth suited to Roman citizenship, when in Rome he springs to life again ennobled by martyrdom.
Eusebius of Caesarea, in his Ecclesiastical History (c. 325 AD), also recounts the tradition:
Peter appears to have preached in Pontus, Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Asia to the Jews of the dispersion. And at last, having come to Rome, he was crucified head-downwards; for he had requested that he might suffer in this way…. These facts are related by Origen in the third volume of his Commentary on Genesis (III.1).
Thus publicly announcing himself as the first among God’s chief enemies, [Nero] was led on to the slaughter of the apostles. It is, therefore, recorded that Paul was beheaded in Rome itself, and that Peter likewise was crucified under Nero. This account of Peter and Paul is substantiated by the fact that their names are preserved in the cemeteries of that place even to the present day (II.25.5).
These historical references, among others from early Church Fathers like Origen, Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, and Irenaeus, solidify the understanding of St. Peter’s martyrdom and the origin of the upside-down cross as his symbol.
St. Peter’s Cross: A Symbol of Faith, Not Satanism
Due to the manner of his death, the Church adopted the upside-down cross, specifically without the corpus of Christ (making it a cross, not a crucifix), as a symbol to represent St. Peter. The Pope, as the successor of St. Peter, uses the St. Peter’s Cross as a visual reminder of St. Peter’s profound humility and heroic martyrdom.
It’s crucial to distinguish the St. Peter’s Cross from an inverted crucifix, which deliberately seeks to invert and blaspheme the sacrifice of Christ. The St. Peter’s Cross, in contrast, is not about inverting Christian values but about honoring St. Peter’s humility and unwavering faith. There is absolutely nothing satanic about the St. Peter’s Cross. It stands as a testament to a key figure in Christian history and his dedication to Christ, even unto death. Understanding its true meaning allows us to appreciate its significance within Christian symbolism and dismiss any misinformed interpretations.
