FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER CELEBRATED TODAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2002 (VIS) - Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, a traditional celebration of the primacy and authority of St. Peter that dates back to the fourth century.

The word "cathedra" means seat or throne and is the root of the word cathedral, the church where a bishop has his throne and from whence he preaches. Another word for "cathedra" is "sedes" from which comes the word "see" meaning the place from which a bishop governs his diocese. Thus, for example, the Holy See is the see of the bishop of Rome, the Pope.

Throughout its history, the Chair of St. Peter has been considered from two perspectives: That of the chair as symbol (the symbol of Peter's primacy; in ancient times the chair or cathedra was a symbol of authority to teach), and that of the chair as object (the throne of Charles the Bald used by John VIII and his successors).

Throughout the whole of today, Bernini's great bronze reliquary in the Vatican, which contains the Chair of St. Peter, will be illuminated by candles.

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