Matthew 23:6

φιλοῦσί τε τὴν πρωτοκλισίαν ἐν τοῖς δείπνοις, καὶ τὰς πρωτοκαθεδρίας ἐν ταῖς συναγωγαῖς,

RBT Greek Interlinear:

Strongs 5368; philousin; φιλοῦσιν; They love; V-PIA-3P

Strongs 1161; de; δὲ; and; Conj

Strongs 3588; tēn; τὴν; the; Art-AFS

Strongs 4411; prōtoklisian; πρωτοκλισίαν; first place; N-AFS

Strongs 1722; en; ἐν; within; Prep

Strongs 3588; tois; τοῖς; the; Art-DNP

Strongs 1173; deipnois; δείπνοις; dinners; N-DNP

Strongs 2532; kai; καὶ; and; Conj

Strongs 3588; tas; τὰς; the; Art-AFP

Strongs 4410; prōtokathedrias; πρωτοκαθεδρίας; first seats; N-AFP

Strongs 1722; en; ἐν; within; Prep

Strongs 3588; tais; ταῖς; the; Art-DFP

Strongs 4864; synagōgais; συναγωγαῖς; congregations; N-DFP

RBT Hebrew Literal:

καθεδρίας kathedria - Seat of Authority

They are philo-loving the First Reclining Couch within the Evening Meals, and the First Cathedras within the Assemblies.^43a

Julia Smith Literal 1876 Translation:
And love the first place at suppers, and the first seat in the assemblies,

LITV Translation:
And they love the first couch in the suppers, and the first seats in the synagogues,

ESV Translation:
and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues

Footnotes

43a

The word "cathedral" derive from the Greek word καθέδρα (kathédra), which means "seat" or "chair".

The evolution of the word goes like this:

1. καθέδρα in Ancient Greek: It originally referred to a seat, often of authority, such as the seat of a judge or a ruler. It came from the verb καθίζω, meaning "to sit."

2. Latin: "cathedrālis": In Latin, the term cathedrālis meant "pertaining to a seat" or "of a bishop's seat." A cathedrālis ecclesia referred specifically to the church that housed the bishop’s official seat (the cathedra).

3. English "cathedral": This Latin term cathedrālis was borrowed into English as cathedral, which refers to the principal church of a diocese, where the bishop’s seat (the cathedra) is located.

Thus, the word "cathedral" directly stems from the concept of the bishop’s seat in the church, symbolizing the authority of the bishop over the diocese.

The term cathedratio refers to the enthronement or installation of a bishop, particularly the act of placing a bishop in his cathedra (seat) within his cathedral. The word cathedratio is derived from cathedra, the Latin word for seat or chair, which specifically refers to the seat of authority in a church, signifying the bishop’s office and jurisdiction over a particular diocese.

Historical Context:

The act of cathedratio involves the formal ceremony where a bishop is consecrated and then enthroned in his cathedra, signifying the commencement of his duties as the leader of the local church. This ritual can be seen as the bishop being given the authority to teach, rule, and guide his flock. The cathedra is not merely a physical seat; it symbolizes the bishop's spiritual authority and role in overseeing the diocese.

In the "Inventio Amundensis", a medieval text, the term is used to describe the enthronement or installation of St. Peter in his episcopal seat. The phrase "habetur in paruris historia B. Petri, que incipit ab ejus vocacione de navi et desinit in ejus ~one" roughly translates to something like: "It is contained in the small history of St. Peter, which begins with his calling from the ship and ends with his enthronement." The reference to vocatio de navi (his calling from the ship) ties into the biblical account of Peter's calling by the Christ, while cathedratio (enthronement) signifies the completion of his spiritual journey to becoming the first pope and bishop.

Symbolic Significance:

• Cathedra as a symbol: The bishop's cathedra represents his role as the authoritative teacher and leader of the Church. It is often placed in the cathedral as a symbol of the bishop's jurisdiction over the diocese.

• Enthronement: The enthronement of a bishop is a public acknowledgment of his authority and spiritual responsibility, which also marks the beginning of his service.