Antioch: The See of Peter

By John Philip Kottapparambil - Kottayam

That Saint Peter, before he went to Rome, founded the see of Antioch is attested by many Saints of the earliest times, including Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Pope Saint Clement. This Apostolic Throne at Antioch is acknowledged as the first See of Peter and is said to be established on 22nd Feb AD 37. It was just that the Prince of the Apostles should take under his particular care and surveillance this city, which was then the capital of the East, and where the faith so early took such deep roots as to give birth there to the name CHRISTIANS. There his voice could be heard by representatives of the three largest nations of antiquity — the Hebrews, the Greeks, and the Latins. Saint Chrysostom says that Saint Peter was there for a long period; Saint Gregory the Great, that he was seven years Bishop of Antioch. He did not reside there at all times, but governed its apostolic activity with the wisdom his mandate assured.

The Patriarchal Throne at the Kurkmo Dayro

 

All the historical evidences points to the fact that the date of establishment of the Apostolic Throne at Antioch is within three years after Our Saviour’s Ascension. The Apostle no doubt left Jerusalem when the persecution which followed Saint Stephen's martyrdom (AD.35) broke out (Acts 8:1), and remained in Antioch until he escaped miraculously from prison and from the hands of Herod Agrippa, while in Jerusalem in 43 at the time of the Passover (Acts 12). Knowing he would be pursued to Antioch, his well-known center of activity, he went to Rome.

In the first ages it was customary, especially in the East, for every Christian to observe the anniversary of his Baptism. On that day each one renewed his baptismal vows and gave thanks to God for his heavenly adoption. That memorable day they regarded as their spiritual birthday. The bishops similarly kept the anniversary of their consecration, as appears from four sermons of Pope Leo of Rome on the anniversary of his accession to the pontifical dignity. These commemorations were frequently continued by the people after their bishops’ decease, out of respect for their memory. The feast of the Chair of Saint Peter was instituted from very early times. Leo says we should celebrate the Chair of Saint Peter with no less joy than the day of his martyrdom, for as in the latter he was exalted to a throne of glory in heaven, by the former he was installed Head of the Church on earth.

On this festival we are especially bound to adore and thank the divine Goodness for the establishment and propagation of His Church, and to pray earnestly that in His mercy, He will preserve it and extend its dominion, so that His name may be glorified by all nations and all hearts even to the boundaries of the earth.

THE ANCIENT CITY OF ANTIOCH & THE CAVE CHURCH (GROTTO) OF ST.PETER

APOSTOLIC THRONE 01

ANTIOCH, the present Antakya in East Turkey, is a name which is known by many people through St. Peter of Antioch. The holy man stayed here for some time and used a cave to worship God. Here the Apostle preached for the first time and here he established the Christian community, introduced the word Christ.

Later, inside the cave a church was built, which is today called ST.PETER'S CHURCH. This cave church is often called the first church built by man.

The cave is reached by going up the stone steps, on the right a relief in the mountainside with a veiled person who looks over the city and most probably dates back to the 2nd century BC. The cave is hidden by a forefront and facade, built by the Crusaders. In the cave there is a small altar, part of a mosaic floor and some fresco's.

 

The stone Chair in the Grotto Church at Antioch which is called as St.Peter's Throne. Seen in the picture is the Syrian Orthodox Nun Sr.Hanna Dogan from Zaz, Turabdin (Turkey) now settled in Germany

 

 

 

The Monastery of Mor Hananyo (also known as KURKMO DAYRO in Syriac and Deir ez-Za`faran or Deyrulzafran in Arabic meaning the "Saffron Monastery", so named for the yellowish rock from which it is built) - located 6 km southeast of Mardin, Turkey. Founded in 493 AD, it was, from 1160 until 1932 the seat of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch 

 

{Source of the pictures : - 'THE HIDDEN PEARL' by Sebastian P Brock & 'TURABADIN' by Hans Hollerweger}
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