Posted on 06/29/2016 4:03:52 PM PDT by NYer
Chapter 11 of the Acts of the Apostles says that Antioch was the city in which, for the first time, the disciples of Jesus were called “Christians.” Tradition has enthroned Peter as the founder of the Church of Antioch, following the narration of the very same Book of Acts, which tells not only of the arrival of Peter and Barnabas to the Turkish city, but also of their preaching.
Moreover, this very same tradition claims that it was in the Knisset Mar Semaan Kefa (“Grotto of St. Peter” in Aramaic) where Peter would celebrate the Eucharist for this community. That is to say, this little cave could be the first place of worship of the ancient Church of Antioch.
Located in one of the slopes of Mount Starius, the cave has a depth of just thirteen meters and a height of seven, from floor to ceiling. The oldest parts of the building we see today, built around the original, simple cave dug in the mountain, are from the 4th and 5th centuries, and include a series of mosaic floors and a few frescoes which have been preserved on the right side of the altar.
Centuries ago, a series of small aqueducts brought water (considered miraculous) from nearby springs into a small designated area where baptisms were celebrated, but a series of relatively recent earthquakes rendered these channels useless.
When the Crusaders took Antioch during the First Crusade in 1098, a facade was added to the cave, which was rebuilt eight centuries later, in 1863, by Capuchin friars, by order of Pope Pius IX.
Today, the cave is only used as a museum, but, with permission, some religious ceremonies are held, especially on Feb. 21, the day on which Antioch celebrates the feast of their patron, Saint Peter.
Today, the cave is only used as a museum, but, with permission, some religious ceremonies are held, especially on Feb. 21, the day which celebrates the region San Pedro as their patron.
While this diversity within the one Catholic Church can appear confusing at first, it in no way compromises the Church's unity. In a certain sense, it is a reflection of the mystery of the Trinity. Just as God is three Persons, yet one God, so the Church is 22 Churches, yet one Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes this nicely:
"From the beginning, this one Church has been marked by a great diversity which comes from both the variety of God's gifts and the diversity of those who receive them... Holding a rightful place in the communion of the Church there are also particular Churches that retain their own traditions. The great richness of such diversity is not opposed to the Church's unity" (CCC no. 814).
Although there are 22 Churches, there are only eight "Rites" that are used among them. A Rite is a "liturgical, theological, spiritual and disciplinary patrimony," (Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 28). "Rite" best refers to the liturgical and disciplinary traditions used in celebrating the sacraments. Many Eastern Catholic Churches use the same Rite, although they are distinct autonomous Churches. For example, the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Melkite Catholic Church are distinct Churches with their own hierarchies. Yet they both use the Byzantine Rite.
To learn more about the "two lungs" of the Catholic Church, visit this link:
The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15).
A Roman rite Catholic may attend any Eastern Catholic Liturgy and fulfill his or her obligations at any Eastern Catholic Parish. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. I am a Roman Catholic practicing my faith at a Maronite Catholic Church. Like the Chaldeans, the Maronites retain Aramaic for the Consecration. It is as close as one comes to being at the Last Supper.
Catholic ping!
I hope ISIS does not find this cave!
Cave in Turkey? I thought they were talking about Mitch McConnell.
Did Peter celebrate mass?
Of course not The Catholic Church would not be invented for centuries yet Peter worshipped as all early Christians did
I don’t think the dates match up.
It is almost for 100% for sure he taught here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capernaum
Most of the stonework is from 400-AD but much of foundations are from much earlier.
The key is there are NO crosses carved anywhere (as this symbol came much later)
All the carvings are done in the Jewish style.
A truly fascinating place to visit.
There’s a cool little church in Saida, Lebanon also, where St. Peter is said to have met St. Paul.
It has improved much since my visit in 1984, when i could not even find a place to go to the bathroom!
Now there is a beautiful museum over the old foundation, with “facilities”, I assume!
God Bless Israel.
Yes he did. The meme about the Catholic Church being “invented” hundreds of years after the fact just doesn’t hold water when held up against reality. The Mass can be traced through Scripture and other documents, and Peter did worship as all early Christians did — through the Mass.
“... Book of Acts, which tells not only of the arrival of Peter and Barnabas to the Turkish city, but also of their preaching.”
Ac. 11 tells of Barnabas in Antioch, but where does it say Peter was there?
Thanks for your help.
I was there in ‘97 so yes it is much improved.
Still has the feel of a historical treasure instead of a tourist trap.
The synagogue is fascinating, isn’t it!
Chapter and verse, please.
Hoss
You are either a propaganist or you’ve been duped. You can’t support your claim.
Maybe it’s the cave where Paul told Peter off for being a hypocrite.
My thoughts exactly. This is just telling ISIS how to find it. The savages will blow it up.
Galatians 2: 11
11When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned. 12For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.…
Now why would Peter be afraid of those from James at Jerusalem?
If anyone wants another example, I have one.
Regarding arguing whether or not early Christian worship services should be called “Mass” — Oy Vey!
As a Jewish acquaintance told a Catholic friend of mine: “I see the traditional synagogue worship service in both the Mass and many Protestant worship services.”
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