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A ''cathedra'' ( Latin , "chair", from Greek , ''kathedra'', "seat") is the Chair or Throne of a Bishop . It is a symbol of Teach ing Authority in the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church , and has in some sense remained such in the Anglican Communion and in Lutheran Church es. ''Cathedra'' is the Latin word for a Chair with armrests; its Roman connotations of authority reserved for the Emperor were adopted by bishops after the 4th century. In this sense, it is sometimes referred to as a "bishop's throne." A Church into which a ''cathedra'' is installed is called a Cathedral or Co-cathedral — the seat of a Particular Church called a Diocese . CATHEDRA PETRI , Rome, designed by Bernini ]] The definitive example of a ''cathedra'' is that encased within the ''Triumph of the cathedra Petri'' designed by , St. Athanasius (left); and St. John Chrysostom , and St. Augustine (right). Celebrated on 22 February in accordance with the Calendar Of Saints , the Feast of Cathedra Petri honors the founding of the church in Rome and gives thanks for the work of Saint Peter . CHAIR OF ST. AUGUSTINE of Rowan Williams as Archbishop Of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral . He is seated in the historic Chair of St. Augustine]] as Diocesan Bishop, in the Chapter House as titular Abbot , and in St. Augustine's chair as Primate Of All England . This is the only occasion in which the cathedra is used. A second one is used for other occasions in which the archbishop is present. EX CATHEDRA The term '' Ex Cathedra '', meaning "from the throne", is used to designate official pronouncements of the Pope when he teaches the whole world. As a throne or armchair symbolizes the power to teach, the ''cathedra'' in this case refers to the teaching authority over the whole church rather than to an actual chair. According to Roman Catholic Dogma , the pope's statements ''ex cathedra'' are Infallible . In Anglican episcopal governance, episcopal teaching is conditioned by Synodical Governance , and so bishops cannot be said to speak ''ex cathedra'' in this way - although they may jocularly be said to do so. PLACEMENT The traditional position of the cathedra was in the Apse , behind the High Altar , which had been the position of the magistrate in the apse of the Roman Basilica which provided the model type—and sometimes the actual structures—for early Christian basilicas. In the Middle Ages , as altars came to be placed against the wall of the apse, the practice of placing the cathedra to one side (mostly left) became standard. In the Roman Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council , the altar is often free-standing and faces the people, so that, according to its advocates, priest and people pray in a mutual dialogue around "the table of the Lord"; in cathedrals built or renovated after the reforms of Vatican II, the cathedra is often placed behind the altar, as in ancient Roman basilicas. In Anglican practice, the cathedra tends to be placed to one side in the Quire , although in more contemporary practice, it is commonly placed on the gospel side of the Chancel (ie., to the left of the altar, as one looks at it from the front). Eastern Orthodox cathedrals will have a throne for the bishop in the apse behind the altar, with seats for the priests to sit to either side of him (among the Orthodox, only bishops and priests are permitted to sit in the sanctuary; deacons and the lower clergy must stand). This location is referred to as the " High Place " and represents the presence of Christ presiding over the services, even when the bishop is not present. For this reason, the High Place often has an Icon of Christ placed above the seat. The bishop will only ascend the High Place during the Divine Liturgy , at the Trisagion (at other times, if he sits in the sanctuary, a seat will be prepared for him off to the side). For this reason, the Consecration of a bishop takes place at the Trisagion, so that he may ascend the High Place for the first time as a bishop during the Liturgy at which he is Consecrated. There will be another throne for the bishop in the Nave of the church:
Although an Hegumen (Abbot) does not have a cathedral, he may have a similar chair, likewise symbolic of his authority, reserved for him on the kliros of his monastery. The Hegumen's ''kathisma'' would be simpler than the one for the bishop, sometimes raised atop two steps, located to the side of the bishop's throne. SEE ALSO
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