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Contents
Everything You Need to Know About the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
St. Peter's BasilicaFeast of the Chair of St. Peter
What is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter?
The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is a commemoration of the contributions of the Apostle to the Christian Church. It celebrates his authority and endless efforts to build a strong community around the teachings of Christ and has been celebrated since the earliest times in the Christian era.
St. Peter was known to hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven, entrusted to him by Jesus himself. For this and many other reasons, St. Peter became a celebrated figure in Christianity.
More about Saint PeterWhy is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter Celebrated?
One of the main reasons for celebrating the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is to celebrate the unity of the Christian Church. Another important reason is that the Chair symbolizes the authority of Saint Peter and his dedication towards building a strong foundation for the Church.
Saint Peter is revered in the Christian community across the globe and is an important figure when it comes to the history of the Vatican. He is considered as the first Pope and the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter marks the longstanding Papacy in Rome since the 1st century.
Chair of St. Peter
There were two chairs associated with Saint Peter, one kept in St. Peter’s Basilica and the other in the Catacomb of Priscilla. Each of these chairs was revered and celebrated, however, because St. Peter’s Basilica is the final resting place of the Apostle, the ancient oak chair is the one that is referred to as the Chair of St. Peter. It is considered a historical treasure and is safely kept in the Papal Altar of the Basilica.
Initially, the Chair was kept inside the monastery of St. Martin, after which it was shifted to St. Peter’s Basilica, where it sits today. The Chair has been studied many times before, the last time being in 1968.
More about St. Peter's Chair
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
Q. What is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter?
A. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is a commemoration of the contributions of the Apostle to the Christian Church.
Q. Can I attend Mass on the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter?
A. Yes. St. Peter’s Basilica holds Mass for the public on all Holy Days including the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
Q. What are the mass timings on the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter?
A. Mass on Holy Days takes place at 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:45 PM, & 5:30 PM.
Q. When is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter celebrated?
A. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is celebrated on February 22 every year.
Q. When was the original Feast of the Chair of St. Peter celebrated?
A. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter was celebrated on January 18 and February 22.
Q. Why were there two dates for the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter?
A. Originally, the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter was celebrated on January 18 and February 22. January 18 was when the Saint gave his first sermon in Rome, while February 22 was when he gave his first sermon in Antioch.
Q. When was the official date of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter decided?
A. The first official date of the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter was added to the Roman calendar in 1969.
Q. Why is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter celebrated?
A. One of the main reasons for celebrating the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is to celebrate the unity of the Christian Church. Another important reason is that the Chair symbolizes the authority of Saint Peter and his dedication towards building a strong foundation for the Church.
Q. Where is St. Peter’s Chair?
A. St. Peter’s Chair is located inside St. Peter’s Basilica.
Q. Was St. Peter’s Chair really used by Peter?
A. Legend has it that the Chair of St. Peter is the original chair that was used by the Apostle for his sermons.
Q. Can I visit St. Peter’s Chair?
A. Yes. You can visit St. Peter’s Chair inside the Papal Altar of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Q. Is it worth visiting St. Peter’s Chair?
A. Yes. The original chair is enclosed with a beautiful grand structure created by Bernini. It is definitely worth taking a look at.
