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Papal Tiara.
The Triregnum or Papal Tiara symbolizes
the spiritual and temporal power of Papism over the
Church and over all the nations of the world. It is worn
only by popes during non-liturgical services, such as
ceremonial processions, ceremonial coronation etc..
Furnished with three diadems, it is
ornamented with precious stones and pearls and has at
its highest point a cross resting on a globe. This
three tiered crown (Triregnum), was worn by popes from
Clement V (1305-1314) up to and including Paul VI who
was crowned in 1963.
Though not worn by any of Pope Paul’s
successors, it has not been abolished and therefore
remains the symbol of the papacy and the Holy See,
featured in the Vatican coat of arms and on many other
papal coats of arms. It is possible that the next pope
or any of his successors could decide to reinstate the
Papal Tiara for ceremonial use. |
The Coronation of Pope Paul VI
(1963-1978).
During
the ceremonial coronation the archdeacon placed the
Tiara on the head of the new pope and recited this
prayer:
Accept the Tiara ornamented with three
diadems and know that you are the Father of Princes and
Kings, Despot of the entire world, earthly
representative of our Savior Jesus Christ, to whom
belongs honor and glory unto the ages of ages.
Αccipe
tiaram tribus coronis ornatam, et scias te esse Patrem
Principum et Regnum, Rectorem Orbis, in terra Vicarium
Salvatoris Nostri Jesu Christi, cui est honor et gloria
in s.cula s.culorum.
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After Paul VI the ceremonial coronation
was substituted (and not abolished) by the ceremonial
Inauguration of the
Supreme
Pontificate |
Pope Benedict XVI.
The refusal of the last three popes to
wear the Tiara in no way alters papal ambitions and cacodoxies. The main dogmas of the
primacy and infallibility of the pope responsible for
all visible and symbolic deviations of Papism remain
firmly entrenched.
According to Cardinal Bea (Harvard
Colloquium),
“it would be simply dishonest to suggest
that there is any likelihood that the dogmas of the
primacy of the infallibility of the pope will be
revised”
(Robert B. Keiser,The story ofVatican II,
NY 1963 - pp. 254-255).
Of course not! These two dogmas are the
two pillars upon which the entire papal edifice rests;
their abolishment would automatically bring about the
collapse of Papism.
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The Insignia of Papism.
Though not currently worn as part of the
papal regalia, the Papal Tiara is used on the flag and
coats of arms of the Holy See and the Vatican as the
continuing symbol of papal
temporal
authority. |
The first bishop of Kenge, Africa, Franz
Hoenem kneels and kisses the red slipper of Pope Paul VI
(1965).
Since then this custom was also suspended
(for a time).
We are deeply grateful to his Eminence
Bishop Chrysostom of Rodostolon, who provided this most
rare photograph. It could possibly be the only such
photograph available in circulation today. |
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Until the first half of the 20th
century, it was customary for pilgrims having an
audience with the pope to kiss the cross on his red
slipper, after having made three prostrations as a sign
of total obedience and reverence. |
The Portable Throne
(Sedia Gestatoria)
The
Sedia Gestatoria
is a portable throne on which the popes were carried
until 1978. It consists of a richly adorned,
silk-covered armchair, fastened to a
suppedaneum,
on either side of which are two gilded rings
through which long rods are passed.
Twelve
palafrenieri
(footmen) in red uniforms use the long rods to carry the
throne on their shoulders. Two large fans (flabella)
made of white ostrich feathers are carried at either
side of the
Sedia Gestatoria.
After its last use by Pope Paul I in 1978, the
Sedia Gestatoria
was replaced by the pope mobile.
The pope
ex cathedra
with the two large ostrich
feather
fans (flabella)
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Paul de Ballester’s parents, Francisco
and Maria.
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Father Paul as an archimandrite.
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His Grace Paul, Bishop of Nazianzus.
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The church of Saint Sophia in Mexico
City, built by the initiative and labor of Bishop Paul.
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The casket with the remains of Bishop
Paul is lowered into the tomb.
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The portrait of Fr. Paul De Ballester
permanently adorns the focal wall of the priest's office
of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in
Scranton Pa, his first parish in the United States
(1960-1961).
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