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Our Church: New Testament Living
Altar of Saint Peter
Saint Peter was the Church's first pope as leader of the
early Church. He is the patron of the church used as Baltimore's
pro-Cathedral, Saint Peter's. The canopy above his statue is
reminiscent of Bernini's great Altar of the Chair in Saint
Peter's Basilica in Rome.
In bronze to his left are bishops and clergy of the Western
Church and, on the right, bishops and clergy of the Eastern Rite
Churches. Both come together in Saint Peter and his successors,
who represent the unity of the Church.
The Saint is shown holding the keys of the kingdom in his
hand, which were given to him by Jesus when He ordained Peter to
be the foundation of his Church (Matthew 16:18-20).
Behind the statue is the outline of an upside-down cross. Legend
has it that Saint Peter did not feel worthy to be crucified
in the same manner as Jesus, so he was hung upside-down.
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