Jaffa's St. Peter Church |Catholic church in Israel
The Church is important for Christians as it is telling the story of the apostle Saint Peter who became the first pope.
Saint Peter Church, in Jaffa dedicated to the important disciple of Jesus, Peter, who considered as the first pope in the history of Christianity. The church symbolizes a significant story that took place in Jaffa. According to which Peter had a vision that allowed Christian believers to eat foods that were not allowed at all and were considered as unclean as for this moment. Another story that accrued in Jaffa is a Miracle, which Peter revived a girl from the death named Tabitha. Unlike most churches, the church altar turns to the east, to Rome, emphasis the story of Peter who spread to Rome, the Christianity Catholic center of the world.
This church is on Kedumin Square No.2, in the Middle of Old Jaffa, follow the tall bell tower as a guideline .
Main story
This church which overlooks the Mediterranean as a landmark to all the pilgrims who came to the holy land via the sea is dedicated to St. Peter. Peter one of Jesus 12 apostles. According to the story, Peter was staying at Shimon the tanner's house on a very hot day. He was starting to get hungry and had a dream while standing on the rooftop in his dream he saw a boat floating in the air and various foods are on it: both kosher and unclean. Peter is horrified to see clean and unclean food is together and saying that an unclean food has never come into his mouth. The voice however tells him "what God has cleansed you do not defile" the vision is repeated 3 times and Peter in his awakening is very puzzled at his compromise. At that moment, messengers arrive from the Roman army minister Cornelius, who is sitting in Caesarea and summoning Peter to him. Peter understands from this that the meaning of the dream is that the teachings of Jesus should also be directed towards the Gentiles and it is ok to eat “Non-Kosher” food. This is a significant point in the spread of Christianity in the world.
Information
This story is told in Acts (10:10-23):
“He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He Saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him,” Get up Peter. Kill and eat”.
“Surely not, Lord! Peter replied. I have never eaten anything impure or unclean”. The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not all anything impure that god has made clean”.
Another famous story elated to a girl name Tabitha. She died and Peter retrieve her.
(Act 9 36:40) “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha. She was always doing good and helping the poot. About that time, she became sick and died and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa. So, when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, the sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”.
Peter went with them and when he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the clothing that she made while she was still with them.
Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead women, he said, “Tabitha, get up”. She opened her eyes and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa and many people believed in the lord”.
Church Basic Information
Church name: St. Peter Catholic Church
Address: Kikar Kedumim St. 2 Jaffa
Map
Christianity order: Franciscan (Roman-Catolic)
Year of build: 1888-1894
Important History : Built on the remains of a Crusader fortress and an inn for pilgrims in the 16th century
Arrival options
| Bus lines | Bus lines number: 13,15, 44, 46, 54 from Tel-Aviv bus station. |
| Car | You can drive to Jaffa clock square and look for a parking, since there is only 5 minutes walk. Another option is to park next “Meyumana House” go to Loui Pester 15. Street and look for a parking. Good luck! |
| Taxi | You can take a taxi, from Tel-Aviv to Old Jaffa. Ask the driver to go down in “Kikar Kedumim”. |
Arriving information
Accessible for wheelchair
Entrance is free of charge.
Open daily 09:00-17:00 except for Sundays.
Phone number +972-3-6822667
Toilet – In front of the church, there is a public and free toilet
Nearby activities
You can visit the Old Jaffa Museum and get impressed by the city deep history.
Walk down the secret alleys of old Jaffa, see the city from above by crossing the street, and going up in the stairs next to the toilets and arriving the top of the hill. Don’t forget to make a wish at the next zodiac sign.
The Church style
The church style is Baroque with Spanish influences as it was built with the help of the Spanish kingdom. The Baroque style is expressed in that it is theatrical, ornate, symmetrical and incorporates elements of classical art.
My experience
Every time I am coming with tourists, they are impressed from the church style and important story of Saint Peter. They are entering the church and while sit quietly look up to see the beautiful wall paintings. If they are lucky, they might be able to see a Catholic Mass ceremony in action. Peter was chosen to continue the way of Christ after the latter ascends according to the Christian tradition. One of the symbols that characterizes the Jesus choice of Peter as his successor is located on the church wall. You will notice a crown symbol that is at the head of the church, together with two keys which symbolizes Peter.Jesus decide to give him the "keys of heaven “ to continue his way.
Among the paintings in the church, you will be impressed by a painting in which you see Napoleon, who passed through Jaffa on his journey to conquer the Land of Israel in 1799 and even stayed overnight in a room in the church dormitories.
You can visit the Jaffa Clock Tower Information enter, ask for a map and explore Jaffa by foot. Walk to David Raziel Street and Yefet st. Junction Opening hours Friday and Saturday at 09:30-16:00.