On the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul. This a partial exegesis of the three selections read at Vespers from the First Epistle of Peter (1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 Peter 1:13-19, and 1 Peter 2:11-24). This is unequivocal moral teaching based on Jesus Christ, which is much needed and neglected in our age, even in churches that call themselves Christian. Let us check our faith and see if it is a "lively hope," and if this description of a Christian applies to us: "being dead to sins, (we) should live unto righteousness." In between these two bookends to the three selections, Peter prepares his people for persecution and "heaviness of temptations." Nowadays, a priest must also be a prophet as were the Apostles, and encourage his people to pursue purity in their lives and to expect and be prepared for "heaviness through manifold temptations."