The
Mayon Volcano which towers over the city of
Legazpi occupies the center of the shield. The
papal cross surmounted by the nimbed dove symbolizes
Saint Gregory the Great, the titular of the
cathedral. The
dove is an allusion to the testimony of
Peter the Deacon who said that he oftentimes saw the
Holy Ghost in the form of a dove hover above the saint while he dictated his works. The
rose symbolizes
Our Lady of Peñafrancia to whom all Bicolanos have a great devotion. The
lily at the base represents the
Immaculate Conception, the patroness of the principal church of
Virac, Catanduanes in
Catanduanes which belongs to the diocese (until 1974). ==Bishops==