THRONE (Thronus, Cathedra, Sedes). - It is the seat reserved for the bishop in his cathedral church for pontifical functions.
In ancient times it was of the type of the cathedra (v.) of senators, and later it developed from a simple doctrinal cathedra into a throne of honor upon a high podium of steps with a baldachin, after the model of the Byzantine imperial throne granted to imperial state magistrates; made of stone or marble, it was located at the back of the apse of the basilica, down to the 11th and 12th centuries. Already in Carolingian times, especially from the moment when the high altar was moved into the apse, the throne was placed in front of the altar on the Gospel side (Ordo Rom. II, 2, 3; V, 21 [ed. Andrieu: II, 115, 231]). Both positions, at the apse and on the right side of the altar, are still provided for today in the Caeremoniale Episcoporum (book I, ch. 13, 1 and 2). The one at the side (in the Middle Ages movable and without a baldachin: Durandus, Rationale, book II, ch. 11, 2) today remains permanently erected. The seat (of wood, stone or metal) stands elevated on three steps, covered with carpets, and surmounted by a baldachin; it has the form of an armchair with a backrest and is draped in cloth (or silk) of the color of the pontifical function; the backrest is decorated with the coat of arms of the incumbent.
Because it is a symbol of the supreme sacerdotal and juridical authority of the diocese, the throne belongs only to the bishop of the diocese; the coadjutor and the auxiliary and other bishops must use the faldstool (v.) to be placed on the left side of the altar, called the Epistle side; exceptions are the archbishop within the bounds of his metropolitan territory, for whom in a suffragan Cathedral the throne is raised on the Epistle side, while the Gospel side is reserved for the diocesan bishop; cardinals in all churches outside Rome (in their presence, out of reverence, the Ordinary uses the faldstool); nuncios in the churches of the territory, in the Cathedral with the consent of the bishop. With the concession of pontifical functions the bishop may also grant the use of the throne with the baldachin (CIC, can. 337, 3) to bishops of regime, in the Cathedral itself, but never to a coadjutor bishop or an auxiliary. Abbots too have in their abbey churches the use of the throne (with two steps) with the baldachin (CIC, can. 325).
The act of taking possession of the diocese is called the "enthronement" of the bishop; the liturgical enthronement has formed part, since high antiquity, of the ritual of consecration; the juridical one, of the "canonica provisio seu institutio" (CIC, cann. 332, 1; 334, 3), is carried out with the presentation of the apostolic letters to the Chapter of the cathedral church.
In the Greek rite a double throne is used: the more ancient one at the back of the apse, similar to the ancient cathedra; and the more recent one with a high backrest and baldachin in the nave of the church, similar to the episcopal throne in the West.
The small throne with baldachin, also called a tempietto or residence, prescribed for the public exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament, consists of a base or pedestal, of a backrest of white cloth or silk, and of the baldachin, sometimes supported by columns; it is movable, that is, it is used and set up only for eucharistic exposition (Decr. auth. 4268 ad 4 of 27 May 1911). Outside of exposition it is not permitted to place the Cross upon it; it is not fitting to place the small throne above the tabernacle.
Bibliography4 works
Pietro Siffrin