Saint Peter is referenced in a religious text.
Saint Peter ( Syriac/Aramaic : ܫܸܡܥܘܿܢ ܟܹ݁ܐܦ݂ܵܐ , Shemayon Keppa , שמעון בר יונה , Πέτρος , according to the New Testament , was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ , leaders of the early Christian Great Church . The New Testament indicates that Peter was the son of John ( or Jonah or Jona ) and was from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee or Gaulanitis . According to New Testament accounts , Peter was one of twelve apostles chosen by Jesus from his first disciples . The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported in the New Testament when Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain .