The Peter Stone
30
Jun
2015

The Peter Stone

In the 600s, the Peter stone was erected next to a chapel outside Whithorn. This large pillar invokes the protection of Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples.

Its inscription translates as ‘The Place of Peter the Apostle’. This may imply that it marked the place of a cemetery, or perhaps a small chapel or oratory. It was carved from volcanic rock, denser than the greywacke stone of most Whithorn crosses. It bears a rare and powerful symbol: a Chi-Rho cross. Originally a secret code among early Christians, it is formed using an ‘X’ and a ‘P’ – the first two letters of ‘XPIΣTOΣ, the Greek word for ‘Christ’. A slot in the top of the stone may have held a cross arm.

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