Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Peter's Chair

Pope Francis venerates chair of St Peter, in St Peter's Basilica after Closing Mass of Synod on Synodality, October 27, 2024 © Vatican Media

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 22 February 2025
Matthew 16:13-19

At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'

He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'

And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.'

Reflection on the chair

Today we celebrate a feast with a rather unusual name: the Chair of St Peter. But how does the chair of an apostle merit a feast day? To understand, we must first consider the object itself. The Chair of St Peter is a relic housed at the very back of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Tradition holds that this wooden throne was used by St Peter himself while leading the early Christian community in Rome. Today, it is enclosed within a magnificent gilt-bronze structure designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, completed between 1647 and 1653. In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI described the chair as "a symbol of the special mission of Peter and his Successors to tend Christ's flock, keeping it united in faith and in charity." The relic itself sits only a few feet away from St Peter's tomb, further reinforcing its spiritual significance. Historically, the wooden chair was gifted to Pope John VIII in 875 AD by Holy Roman Emperor Charles the Bald

In today's Gospel reading, Christ proclaims, "You are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my Church." While the chair inside St Peter's Basilica may appear grand and ornate for its time, it is not meant to symbolise earthly power or prestige. Instead, it stands as a profound representation of the office entrusted by Jesus to St Peter and his successors, the shepherds of the Church. Peter was given the role of interpreting and safeguarding Christ's teachings, a responsibility that, within the Roman Catholic tradition, continues with the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.

Peter's insight into Jesus' true identity was the foundation of the mission entrusted to him. Jesus' question remains just as relevant today: "Who do you say that I am?" It is a question that challenges each of us to deepen our faith and understanding of Christ. The photo I share of the wooden Chair of St. Peter was put on display at St. Peter's Basilica on 27 October 2024, and was remained in public view until 8 December for veneration. The photo shows Pope Francis praying in front of the relic, at the closing mass marking the end of the month-long assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-16-13-19-2025/