The Chair of St. Peter

The feast of the Chair of Peter has been celebrated from the earliest times by the church at Rome.

It was initially celebrated first on January 18 in recognition of the day when Peter is said to have held his first service with the Roman faithful. Since the Middle Ages, the feast has been observed on February 22—traditionally considered the anniversary of Peter’s proclamation of Jesus as Messiah.

The feast recalls Peter’s authority as the head of the apostles, as well as the authority of all those who succeed Peter. In early Christian times, bishops had official chairs on which they sat as they preached and taught their people. Over time, the chair of a bishop came to be viewed as a symbol of his authority and has been regarded with great respect.

Jesus told Peter that he was the “rock” upon which he would build his church, and that Peter would be given “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19). Consequently, to Peter and his successors is accorded a primacy over the church. The Chair of St. Peter has come to represent the pope’s special calling to teach and serve the people of God.

As successors to Peter and the apostles, our church leaders are called to tend the flock of God willingly and humbly. As Jesus prayed for Peter, let us pray for our pope and for all the bishops, that the Lord would continue to guide the church by his Spirit.

From the word among us website