The Altar of the Chair of St. Peter

 

When I walked in the church I didn't know any of this. But here's what I discovered....and I took this picture to help me remember what I learned.

In the apse of St. Peter's Basilica is found the monument to the Chair of the Apostle Peter, a mature work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, made in the shape of a great bronze throne, supported by the statues of four Doctors of the Church, two from the West, St. Augustine and St. Ambrose, and two from the East, St. John Chrysostom and St. Athanasius.

Above the Chair of Peter is a window of Alabaster, divided into twelve sections as a tribute to the Twelve Apostles; a brilliant dove stands out against it, the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

As I'm reconnecting with the ancient Church, I'm more and more aware that I don't know what I'm looking at unless someone helps me. I see what I see, but I don't know what I'm seeing. I miss the symbolism.  I miss the nuanced meaning, the deeper veiled reality and the reasons behind the artistic expression unless someone teaches me. I don't know "what" represents "what" unless those who do know "what" share their knowledge.

So I wonder how many times I've missed out because I made a "surface" observation and failed to notice the layers of truth I could have apprehended if I'd cared enough to go deeper? What have I unnecessarily missed? 

I want to understand. I'm going to spend more time asking, "Why?"

Matthew 13:13  -  I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. 

Comments

[Denis Saint Paris]

Hello...
I stumbled onto your site while searching for images of a particular saint's statue.
I could not help but notice your thoughtful reflections regarding these most sacred places, your longing to know more about them and their significant meanings.
I see that yours is a Protestant page and these are, of course, Catholic spaces.
It is most beautiful that you are open to the symbolisms here and understand it is much deeper than marble and stone, and not meant for wealth/ beauty for mere mortal humans but something meant to house Our Lord, present in His Blood, Blood, Soul and Divinity.

Thank you for seeing beyond the brick and mortar and gold and seeing what the soul was meant to see.

GOD BLESS.