Chair of Saint Peter

Cathedra Petri is, a stylized than life throne replica within a multi-piece decorating front of the middle wall section of the main apse of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the 1657 to 1666 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini commissioned by Alexander VII: was created (reigned 1655-1667 ).

Function

The Chair of Peter in St. Peter's Basilica is their function a reliquary, a bronze coat for therein wooden chair, which should have been, according to tradition, the Chair of Saint Peter. Probably it is, however, a custom built for the coronation of Charles the Bald chair from the 9th century AD This was then presented to the Pope or the St. Peter's Church after the coronation ceremony. The liturgical Chair of Peter, that is, the episcopal see of the Bishop of Rome, is located in the Roman cathedral, St. John Lateran Basilica.

Appearance

The Cathedra Petri is a huge work of art in the Baroque style, the throne is located in the center itself. About the throne of heaven seems open: In the middle of a dove in the glory as a symbol of the Holy Spirit appears as designed stained glass in an oval, yellowish white window. From the appearance of the Holy Spirit go out and clouds bundle of light rays on which choirs of angels in stucco or bronze can be seen. The entire upper part of the artwork is gold plated. Gold symbolizes the divine.

The throne seems to float on the clouds of the celestial sphere down. Four -than-life bronze figures engage in lateral loops which are attached to the curved legs of the throne and keep him that way in the balance. They represent the four Fathers of the Church, two from the Greek East ( John Chrysostom and Athanasius ) and two from the Latin West ( Augustine and Ambrose ). The throne itself is decorated with reliefs.

Antioch and Venice

According to church tradition, Peter was also a founding bishop of the Christian community of Antioch before Rome. The cathedra, he should have held there is shown today in San Pietro di Castello, the former Patriarchal Church of Venice. You want a gift from the Emperor Michael III. have been at the Venice at that time still under Byzantine suzerainty and strengthened this in its self- awareness of the popes and in his claim to the Patriarchate of Aquileia. Clearly visible Arabic characters have this throne, however, as a true oriental, but not in early Christianity.

Pictures of Chair of Saint Peter

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