Via di Settebagni 354, Rome, Italy
(39) 06-9480-5138
TempioDiRoma.org
  • BOOK A TOUR
  • Menu Canvas
    • Home
    • Visitors’ Center
    • Family History
    • Worship
    • Events
    • Inspiration
    • History
    • Resources
      • Temple Session Schedule & Info
      • Contact Us
    • Visit
Via di Settebagni 354, Rome, Italy
(39) 06-9480-5138
TempioDiRoma.org
  • Visitors’ Center
  • Family History
  • Sunday Service
  • Events
  • Inspiration
  • History
  • Resources
    • Temple Session Schedule & Info
    • Contact Us
  • Visit

Why is Peter Always Holding Keys?

Homepage Art Why is Peter Always Holding Keys?

Why is Peter Always Holding Keys?

Rome Temple
November 20, 2021
Art

Written by Sophie Hart

Simon Peter was a simple fisherman before he became the chief apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. In many artistic renditions of this apostle, his fishers nets are replaced with two keys. Why?

Traditionally, Peter is represented holding two keys of equal size, which are explained by the Savior in the gospel of Matthew: “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19). 

The Church that Jesus Christ established on the earth included the authority to bind on heaven the things which are bound on earth. In simpler terms, Peter was given the authority of God, or the priesthood. The keys which he holds are strong symbols of that priesthood authority, and the fact that it has been restored today. 

In the Rome Temple Visitors’ Center, Peter can be found twice in two separate artistic renditions–but both with keys. One stands in the Christus room, where he is found on the right hand of the Savior. In this copy of the original statues done by Bertel Thorvaldsen, Peter holds the keys in his hands with his gaze set directly on the Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The other depiction of the apostle is contained in the stained glass found at the entrance of the Visitors Center done by American artist Tom Holdman. In stunning color and traditional blue robes, Peter holds the keys while watching Jesus perform a miracle. 

Both of these unique pieces of art can be found at the historic site of the Rome Temple, which stands as the only temple in Italy. Outside the Eternal City, the Visitors’ Center invites all to come and see these special renditions of the apostle Peter, who is known to have been martyred within these very city limits.  

Previous Story
Genealogy and the Family of Salvatore Quasimodo
Next Story
Don’t Leaf This Off Your To-Do List!

Related Articles

4 Ways the Rome Temple Square is Inspired by Italian Culture and History

By Ethan Di Girolamo Though Italy has famously been the...

Mostra d'Arte Pittorica dell'artista Wally Bonafè

di Ernesto Nudo Il 21 Maggio alla presenza di numerosi...

Upcoming Event

11Jun
  • 07:00 pm
  • La Rome Temple

Musical Concert: Sizzling Strings

via di Settebagni n. 354-380
Roma, Roma 00139 Italy

Recent Posts

  • 4 Ways the Rome Temple Square is Inspired by Italian Culture and History
  • Mostra d’Arte Pittorica dell’artista Wally Bonafè
  • What is the statue on the Temple?
  • What does the word “Latter-days” mean?
  • What is Palm Sunday?

TempioDiRoma.org is not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Contact Us

centrovisitatori@chiesadigesucristo.it

(39) 06-9480-5138

News

  • 4 Ways the Rome Temple Square is Inspired by Italian Culture and History Saturday, 23, Jul
  • Mostra d’Arte Pittorica dell’artista Wally Bonafè Tuesday, 24, May
Copyright ©2021 TempioDiRoma.org All Rights Reserved
English
Italiano Français Deutsch Español Nederlands Română Ελληνικά Shqip 简体中文 繁體中文 日本語 한국어 Tagalog العربية English
EN
EN
IT
FR
DE
ES
NL
RO
EL
SQ
ZH
ZH_TW
JA
KO
TL
AR
SearchPostsLogin
Saturday, 23, Jul
4 Ways the Rome Temple Square is Inspired by Italian Culture and History
Tuesday, 24, May
Mostra d’Arte Pittorica dell’artista Wally Bonafè
Thursday, 28, Apr
What is the statue on the Temple?
Tuesday, 19, Apr
What does the word “Latter-days” mean?
Friday, 8, Apr
What is Palm Sunday?
Monday, 4, Apr
Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints an American church?

Welcome back,