The Interwoven Symbols of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Church tradition holds that Saint Peter felt unworthy to be crucified in the same manner Christ had been crucified. He requested that his cross be inverted so that he might look heavenward as he was crucified. Along with the inverted cross are the keys symbolizing those to the Kingdom of Heaven given to him by Christ.  He was buried on Vatican Hill in Rome, and excavations under St. Peter’s Basilica have unearthed his probable tomb. From the earliest days of the Church, Peter was recognized as the Prince of the Apostles and the first Supreme Pontiff.

Saint Paul is symbolized by the "Sword of the Spirit", a term Paul used when referring to the Word of God, most notably in Ephesians 6:17.  Tradition holds that In 67 A.D., Saint Paul chose to die by the sword rather than deny his God, after teaching and demonstrating that life is indeed a battle to be fought in God's Armor.