Saint Peter, or Apostle Peter ( O Άγιος Πέτρος ) hand painted Greek Orthodox Byzantine Icon, entirely hand made on canvas with crocus, set in a gold leaf gilded background. It is in accord with the style the tradition and the criteria of the Macedonian school of Agio Oros ( Mount Athos ).Saint Peter also known as Simon  or Peter the Apostle, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, and one of the first leaders of the early Church.According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero. He is traditionally counted as the first bishop of Rome‍—‌or pope‍—‌and also by Eastern Christian tradition as the first patriarch of Antioch. The ancient Christian churches all venerate Peter as a major saint and as the founder of the Church of Antioch and the Diocese of Rome, but differ in their attitudes regarding the authority of his successors. In the New Testament, Peter appears repeatedly and prominently in all four gospels as well as the Acts of the Apostles. The Gospel of Mark in particular was traditionally thought to show the influence of Peter's preaching and eyewitness memories. He is also mentioned, under either the name Peter or Cephas, in Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians and the Epistle to the Galatians.Outside of the New Testament, several apocryphal books were later attributed to him, in particular the Acts of Peter, Gospel of Peter, Preaching of Peter, Apocalypse of Peter, and Judgment of Peter.The Greek Orthodox Church commemorates him on June 29.