# Saint Peter (?-A.D. 67), apostle of Jesus Christ. Peter, a fisherman on the sea of Galilee, lived with his wife at Capernaum. One of the first apostles, he was regarded by Jesus with special affection. He was the first to hail Jesus as Messiah, but just before the crucifixion, he denied three times that he had any connection with Jesus. He became the acknowledged leader of the earliest Christian community. Peter is often represented in art holding keys, as the gatekeeper of Heaven.