The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Antioch (Cathedra Sancti Petri Antiochiae) was traditionally celebrated on February 22 in the pre-1962 liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. This feast honored the episcopal authority of Saint Peter as the first bishop of Antioch before he journeyed to Rome, where he would establish his primacy as the Prince of the Apostles.
Historical and Theological Significance
Saint Peter, after receiving his divine commission from Christ to be the rock upon which the Church would be built (Tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram ædificabo Ecclesiam meam – Matthew 16:18), initially exercised his pastoral and teaching authority in Antioch, one of the most prominent cities of the early Christian world. According to ancient tradition, he governed the Church there for about seven years before proceeding to Rome.
Antioch was a major center of early Christianity, and it was there that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). Saint Peter’s leadership in Antioch laid the groundwork for the apostolic succession and the continued governance of the Church by legitimate successors to his authority. The feast celebrated his rule and the establishment of his cathedra (episcopal throne) as a symbol of the unity and doctrinal integrity of the Church.
The Feast and Its Celebration
In the traditional calendar, two separate feasts honored the Chair of Saint Peter:
- February 22 – The Chair of Saint Peter at Antioch
- January 18 – The Chair of Saint Peter at Rome (commemorating his Roman primacy)
These feasts expressed the veneration of the authority conferred by Christ to Saint Peter, exercised both in Antioch and Rome. The celebration included a proper Mass and Office, with liturgical texts emphasizing Peter’s role as the visible foundation of the Church.
Liturgical Aspects (Traditional Roman Rite)
- Introit: Statuit ei Dominus – “The Lord made him prince over His people.”
- Collect: Prayed for the stability and unity of the Church, invoking Saint Peter’s intercession.
- Epistle: 1 Peter 1:1–7 – Encouraging steadfastness in faith.
- Gospel: Matthew 16:13–19 – Christ’s declaration of Peter’s primacy.
- Preface: Common Preface or Preface of the Apostles.
The Suppression of the Feast in the 1962 Reforms
In the 1962 liturgical calendar, Pope John XXIII combined both feasts into a single Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, retaining only the February 22 observance. The distinction between the Chair at Antioch and the Chair at Rome was thus removed from the general calendar, though the historical significance of Peter’s time in Antioch remains acknowledged in Church tradition.
Spiritual Lessons from the Feast
- Papal Authority as Christ-Given – The feast underscores the divine institution of the papacy, linking Peter’s authority to Christ Himself.
- Apostolic Succession – The celebration affirms the unbroken lineage from Saint Peter to the present day, emphasizing the need for obedience to true apostolic authority.
- Unity of the Church – As Peter was a unifying figure in Antioch and later in Rome, the feast calls the faithful to pray for the unity of the Church under the Vicar of Christ.
Conclusion
The Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter at Antioch was a vital celebration in the traditional liturgical calendar, emphasizing the early governance of Saint Peter and his foundational role in establishing the Church’s hierarchical structure. Although it was later merged with the Roman observance, its significance remains a crucial part of Catholic tradition, affirming the primacy of Saint Peter and the divine authority vested in his successors.