Peter Freed from Prison

King Herod puts James, the brother of John, to death with the sword, then has Peter arrested during the days of Unleavened Bread. Guarded by four squads of four soldiers each, Peter is to be brought out after the Passover; meanwhile, the church prays for him without ceasing. On the last night, bound with two chains, he is sleeping between two soldiers. An angel of the Lord appears, and a light shines in the cell; the angel strikes Peter on the side: “Arise up quickly!” The chains fall off his hands. Peter follows him, thinking he is seeing a vision; they pass the first and second guard, and the iron gate opens to them by itself. Coming to himself, Peter goes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many are praying. The servant girl Rhoda recognizes his voice and, in her joy, runs to announce it . . . without opening the gate! “Thou art mad,” they tell her. Peter keeps on knocking, and when they open the door, they are astonished to see him.