FEAST OF THE CHAIR OF ST. PETER CELEBRATED TODAY

VATICAN CITY, FEB 22, 2003 (VIS) - Today is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, a recurrence dating back to the fourth century that honors and celebrates the primacy and authority of St. Peter.

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 "sede" (seat or see): the "see" is 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. The first is the chair-symbol, the symbol of Peter's primacy: In ancient times the chair or cathedra was a symbol of authority to teach. The second is the chair-object: the Chair of St. Peter, in St. Peter's Basilica, is actually a throne that Charles the Bald gave to Pope John VIII at the former's coronation as emperor on Christmas Day 875. Charles the Bald was the grandson of Emperor Charlemagne. For many years the chair was used at liturgical events by Pope John and his successors: it was ensconced in Bernini's Altar of the Chair in 1666.
A mixture of tradition, legend and belief held for many years that this was actually a double chair, parts of which dated back to the early days of Christianity and to St. Peter himself. This chair or cathedra has been studied over the centuries and the last time it was removed from its niche in the Bernini altar was a six-year period from 1968 to 1974 where studies pointed to a single chair whose oldest parts date to the sixth century. What appeared to be an outer or second chair was a covering which served both to protect the throne and to carry it in procession.

Two interesting facts stand out from this study period: the back panels of the throne, replacing early columns and arches, depicted the Labors of Hercules, and previously used ivory was also incorporated in this throne.

Every year on this feast, the monumental altar housing the Chair of Peter is illuminated by scores of candles throughout the entire day. A number of Masses are celebrated at this altar, from early morning to early evening, concluding with the mass of the Canons of St. Peter.

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