February 22 is the date set aside for commemorating the Chair of St. Peter. This date is associated with St. Peter's founding of the See of Antioch. According to a commission set up by Pope Paul VI, the chair itself only dates back to the ninth century. It resided in St. Martin's Monastery until 1656, when Pope Alexander VII commissioned Bernini to place the Chair in a prominent place in St. Peter's Basilica.

The feast itself dates back to at least 354. It focuses on the role of St. Peter and of his successors as servants and teachers of the Universal Church.

In observing this feast, we call to mind that Christ gave St. Peter the role of Teacher and Pastor, and that this role continues down through his successors to the present Pope. We also observe the unity of the Church and our assent to its teaching authority.