Saint Paul was a Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; and his kinsfolk called his name “Saul,” the well-known interpretation of which is, “given.”  He was a young man of handsome appearance, upright in stature, and ruddy, like the rind of a pomegranate.  His face was open, his nose was large, above his eyes was kohl, his cheeks were [like] an open rose, and his beard was full.  He was learned in the Law of the Torah, and he was jealous for the same.

Peter was from Bethsaida, and he was a fisherman.  Our Lord chose him on the second day following that whereon He was baptized, and He chose Andrew his brother before him.  And having chosen Saint Peter, He made him chief of the apostles, and he continued to minister to our Redeemer until the time of His death and Passion.  He had fervent faith, and strong zeal, and love for God.

Every week Wednesdays and Fridays are observed as fast days except during the fifty days (between Easter and Pentecost), and on the days of Christmas and Epiphany, when these feasts fall on these days. The reason why Wednesdays and Friday are fast days is as follows.

The Apostles observed this fast after they received the Holy Spirit and before they set out to proclaim the Gospel. The Church has laid down a rule for the faithful to observe this fast starting from the day immediately after whit Sunday.