stars that brightened all under heaven. Their princes and chiefs — Peter, James, and John — whose martyrdom we celebrate today, suffered in various ways...
"It is just to celebrate on the same day the memory of these men, not only because they were unanimous in their preaching, but because of the equality of their dignity, (τὸν ὁμότιμον.) The one (Peter) who held the first place, (πρωτοστάτης,) and who is the chief of the Apostolic college, received the favour of a glory suitable to his dignity, being honoured with a passion similar to that of the Saviour. ... But James was beheaded, aspiring to the possession of Christ, who is truly (ὄντως) his head, for the head of man is the Christ, who is at the same time head of all the Church." ...
"They (the Apostles) are the foundations of the Church, the columns and pillars of truth. They are never-failing springs of salvation, from which flow abundant torrents of divine doctrine."
After again giving the same titles to Peter, James, and John, St. Gregory adds:
"Nevertheless, we have not said this to debase the other Apostles, but to bear witness to the virtue of those of whom we speak; or, better still, in order to speak the common praise of all the Apostles."
All these titles, all this praise, given by St. Gregory to Peter, James, and John, refer not to the dignity of their apostolate — that dignity was the same in all — but merely to their personal virtue. He is at particular pains to leave no doubt as to the true value of these encomiums, and upon the doctrine of the real equality of the Apostles, for he adds:
"As regards the truth of the dogmas, they, (the Apostles,) like members, represent one and the same body; and whether one member be honoured, as the Apostle says, (1 Cor. 12:26,) all the members rejoice with it. As their labours for religion were in common, so also the
