Sunday, April 29, 2012

Peter of Verona

Today's Saint is Peter of Verona (1206 – April 6, 1252), I just read about Peter this morning, first on wikipedia then on other websites. When I saw his picture on wikipedia I thought to myself; "wait..what's that on his head?"

Google image search proved too good to be true..I realised I couldn't possibly make this image more grotesque or funny than the paintings that already exist of him. Briefly; Peter joined the Order of the Friars Preachers (Dominicans) and was considered a threat by Cathars who disapproved of his teaching; mainly that the Cathars were doing it wrong. So they hired an assassin to get rid of him.

This from Wikipedia: "According to legend, Carino struck Peter's head with an axe( although many paintings show a large knife)..... Peter rose to his knees, and recited the first article of the Symbol of the Apostles (the Apostle's Creed). Offering his blood as a sacrifice to God, he dipped his fingers in it and wrote on the ground: "Credo in Unum Deum". The blow that killed him cut off the top of his head, but the testimony given at the inquest into his death confirms that he began reciting the Creed when he was attacked."

Check out LOLSAints, a blog after my own heart to see more. More info on the various depictions of Peter here.

I don't know what the ''Shh'' gesture is for..maybe he's trying to indicate he's got a splitting headache?

I had to include this great photo, too good not to share