Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu - Jerusalem

One of the most striking churches in Jerusalem commemorates the apostle Peter’s triple denial of his Master, his immediate repentance and his reconciliation with Christ after the Resurrection.

Built on an almost sheer hillside, the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu stands on the eastern slope of Mount Zion.

On its roof rises a golden rooster atop a black cross — recalling Christ’s prophesy that Peter would deny him three times “before the cock crows”. Galli-cantu means cockcrow in Latin.

Peter’s denial of Christ is recorded in all four Gospels (most succinctly in Matthew 26:69-75). Three of the Gospels also record his bitter tears of remorse.

The scene of Peter’s disgrace was the courtyard of the high priest Caiaphas. The Assumptionist congregation, which built St Peter in Gallicantu over the ruins of a Byzantine basilica, believes it stands on the site of the high priest’s house. Under the church is a dungeon thought to be the cell where Jesus was detained for the night following his arrest.

Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu

Rooster

Statue of rooster

Peter denying he knows Christ

Sacred Pit/Dungeon in the house of Caiaphas

Under the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu, 

a dungeon type chamber, hewn out of bedrock, 

testifies to the type of power the high priest 

wielded. A single entrance, or portal, in the

floor was the means by which a prisoner was

confined in the dark cells below. The only way

in or out for a prisoner was via a rope.

Jesus being lowered into the pit by rope

Jesus gives Peter the keys 
to the Kingdom

Peter Denying Christ 
"I do not know Him."

"Lord, You know that I love you."
"Feed My sheep."

Fr. Chris teaching us about this church