El Papa Juan Pablo II y su sillón... ¿satánico?

This photo is one of several such photos taken during the Pope's recent trip to Israel. A special class of anti-Catholic propagandists loves these photos, seeing nothing more than a Satanic Symbol…the Inverted Cross. Proof, they claim, that the Pope really is the "anti-Christ".

They are wrong.

There is another meaning for the Inverted Cross, one that is thoroughly Christian.

St. Peter in Rome, an article from the Catholic Information Network (CIN), shows that St. Peter being crucified upside down is an ancient tradition [scroll down to PETER RETURNS TO ROME.]:

"The Alexandrian scholar Origen (d. 256) is the first to report that St. Peter 'was crucified head downward, for he had asked that he might suffer in this way' (Eusebius, History, III, 1)."

Eusebius of Caesarea (born about 260; died before 341 per this Catholic Encyclopedia article) wrote a History of the Church. Here's Eusebius' Church History, III, 1 from New Advent. Our info is right at the top of the page, from the mouth of Eusebius himself! J

"Peter appears to have preached in Pontus, Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Asia to the Jews of the dispersion. And at last, having come to Rome, he was crucified head-downwards; for he had requested that he might suffer in this way…. These facts are related by Origen in the third volume of his Commentary on Genesis."

[Here's a second link to Eusebius' Church History, III, 1, from the Protestant site Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Scroll down or just click on Chapter 1. For those who distrust "Catholic" sources. J ]

The Catholic Encyclopedia article, St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, confirms the traditional belief that St. Peter was crucified head downwards on an inverted cross:

"Concerning the manner of Peter's death, we possess a tradition--attested to by Tertullian at the end of the second century (see above) and by Origen (in Eusebius, "Hist. Eccl.", II, i)--that he suffered crucifixion. Origen says: 'Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downwards, as he himself had desired to suffer'. As the place of execution may be accepted with great probability the Neronian Gardens on the Vatican, since there, according to Tacitus, were enacted in general the gruesome scenes of the Neronian persecution; and in this district, in the vicinity of the Via Cornelia and at the foot of the Vatican Hills, the Prince of the Apostles found his burialplace."

The graphic below is from the Images of St. Peter from the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC. (Note the "inverted cross" of keys at the upper left of their page.) 3 Dec 01 Just discovered prior link is broken, it was taken from this link: A Tribute to St. Peter

There is an explanation for the "inverted cross" image on the Pope's chair other than the "Satanic Symbol" portrayed by some anti-Catholic propagandists. Legend or historical fact…it really isn't relevant to my point. What is relevant is that the "inverted cross" symbol as used by Christians refers to the traditional belief as to the manner of St. Peter's martyrdom -- not the Satanic Symbol.

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See "St. Peter's Cross" at Symbols.Com

Mamertine Prison, Rome, where tradition/legend says Sts. Peter & Paul were imprisoned. Note inverted "St. Peter's Cross" on altar.

Photo courtesy of Leo C. Curran, used with permission.

Scholar's Corner - Protestant site with pic view and more info.

Mamertine Prison - Catholic Encyclopedia article.

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