Peter of Rates
Encyclopedia
Saint Peter of Rates also known in English as Saint Peter of Braga, is traditionally considered to be the first bishop
of Braga
between the years 45 and 60. Tradition says he has been ordered to preach the Christian faith by Saint James the Great
, and that Peter of Rates was martyred while attempting to make converts to the Christian faith in northern Portugal. The ancient Breviary of Braga (Breviarium Bracarense) and the Breviary of Evora hold that St. Peter of Rates was a disciple of St. James and preached at Braga. However, the Bollandists argue that this claim is “purely traditional.”
in 44 AD. One of his alleged visits occurred at Serra de Rates, in the current municipality of Póvoa de Varzim
. During his visit, the apostle is said to have ordained the local Peter of Rates as the first bishop of Braga. This is probably a myth, given that it is proven that Saint James was celebrating Easter
in Jerusalem precisely in this year.
It is believed that Saint Peter of Rates was beheaded
while converting believers of the Roman religion to the Christian faith.
that was rediscovered in the 20th century under the sand dunes of Rio Alto
in the current civil parish of Estela
, also in Póvoa de Varzim.
Felix had left home and settled in the biggest hill of the area, which is today known as São Félix Hill
. Regularly, Saint Félix observed a light in the darkness of the night from the mount. One day, curious about the light's origins, Felix came upon the body of Saint Peter of Rates. On that spot, the Romanesque
Monastery of Rates
was built, and the relics kept there until 1552; in this year the body was transferred to Braga Cathedral
, were it is still kept. Scientific studies suggest that the body kept in Braga is from a 9th century child.
Already in the 18th century, there are descriptions that Saint Peter of Rates was beheaded while drinking the waters of the fountain in Balasar. The population believes that two indentations on the fountain are impressions from the saint's knees. At the fountain of Rates, a stone is believed to cure in cases of sterility
. Due to that belief, on April 26 of every year, the feast day of Saint Peter of Rates, in some villages the pregnant women and female animals do not work.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Braga
Braga
Braga , a city in the Braga Municipality in northwestern Portugal, is the capital of the Braga District, the oldest archdiocese and the third major city of the country. Braga is the oldest Portuguese city and one of the oldest Christian cities in the World...
between the years 45 and 60. Tradition says he has been ordered to preach the Christian faith by Saint James the Great
Saint James the Great
James, son of Zebedee was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of John the Apostle...
, and that Peter of Rates was martyred while attempting to make converts to the Christian faith in northern Portugal. The ancient Breviary of Braga (Breviarium Bracarense) and the Breviary of Evora hold that St. Peter of Rates was a disciple of St. James and preached at Braga. However, the Bollandists argue that this claim is “purely traditional.”
Life
The legend holds that Saint James, one of the apostles of Christ, visited the northwest of the Iberian PeninsulaIberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
in 44 AD. One of his alleged visits occurred at Serra de Rates, in the current municipality of Póvoa de Varzim
Póvoa de Varzim
Póvoa de Varzim is a Portuguese city in the Norte Region and sub-region of Greater Porto, with a 2011 estimated population of 63,364. According to the 2001 census, there were 63,470 inhabitants with 42,396 living in the city proper. The urban area expanded, southwards, to Vila do Conde, and there...
. During his visit, the apostle is said to have ordained the local Peter of Rates as the first bishop of Braga. This is probably a myth, given that it is proven that Saint James was celebrating Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
in Jerusalem precisely in this year.
It is believed that Saint Peter of Rates was beheaded
Decapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...
while converting believers of the Roman religion to the Christian faith.
The discovery of Peter's body by Saint Felix
Centuries later, around the 9th century, the discovery of Peter's body was attributed to Saint Felix the Hermit, a fisherman of Villa Mendo, an ancient Roman villaVilla
A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper-class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified in Late Antiquity,...
that was rediscovered in the 20th century under the sand dunes of Rio Alto
Rio Alto
thumb|250px|Rio Alto is a tourist area for golfers, naturists, campers, and agronomists.Rio Alto is a small river in the Póvoa de Varzim Municipality, whose source is located at the foot of São Félix Hill . The river empties at Estela Parish in Rio Alto Beach...
in the current civil parish of Estela
Estela
Estela is a Portuguese parish, located in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim. In the census of 2001, it had a population of 2,596 inhabitants and a total area of 11.73 km²....
, also in Póvoa de Varzim.
Felix had left home and settled in the biggest hill of the area, which is today known as São Félix Hill
São Félix Hill
São Félix Hill or Mount São Félix, Monte de São Félix in Portuguese, is the highest hill in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal, as measured by the height above sea level of its summit, ....
. Regularly, Saint Félix observed a light in the darkness of the night from the mount. One day, curious about the light's origins, Felix came upon the body of Saint Peter of Rates. On that spot, the Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
Monastery of Rates
Monastery of Rates
The Monastery of Rates was a Benedictine monastery located in the parish of Rates in the municipality of Póvoa de Varzim, in Portugal. The only part of the monastery that has survived to this day is the Church dedicated to St Peter of Rates and is a national monument since 1910...
was built, and the relics kept there until 1552; in this year the body was transferred to Braga Cathedral
Braga Cathedral
The Cathedral of Braga is one of the most important monuments in the city of Braga, in Northern Portugal. Due to its long history and artistic significance it is also one of the most important buildings in the country.-History:...
, were it is still kept. Scientific studies suggest that the body kept in Braga is from a 9th century child.
Miraculous fountains of Saint Peter of Rates
In the civil parishes of Balasar and Rates in Póvoa de Varzim, there are two fountains that the population believes are miraculous because they were used by this saint.Already in the 18th century, there are descriptions that Saint Peter of Rates was beheaded while drinking the waters of the fountain in Balasar. The population believes that two indentations on the fountain are impressions from the saint's knees. At the fountain of Rates, a stone is believed to cure in cases of sterility
Infertility
Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a person to contribute to conception. Infertility may also refer to the state of a woman who is unable to carry a pregnancy to full term...
. Due to that belief, on April 26 of every year, the feast day of Saint Peter of Rates, in some villages the pregnant women and female animals do not work.