Basilica of Saint John Lateran Begins Celebrations for its 1,700th Anniversary in the Diocese of Rome

The Basilica of Saint John Lateran, named after both Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, is preparing to celebrate its 1,700th anniversary. The Lateran Basilica is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. It was originally dedicated on November 9th, 324 AD. Starting from 9 November 2023 and until 9 November 2024, the important anniversary of the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saint John the Baptist and the Evangelist, which was inaugurated by Pope Sylvester in the presence of Constantine in 324, will be celebrated.

The chapter of the Cathedral of The Pope and the entire diocese of Rome intend to propose various religious and cultural initiatives throughout the year 2023-2024 to experience the event. To present them, a press conference will be held in the Cardinal Ugo Poletti Hall of the Palazzo del Vicariato, Wednesday 8 November at 11 am, in which the cardinal vicar Angelo De Donatis will speak; Monsignor Marco Frisina, director of the Choir of the Diocese of Rome; Monsignor Andrea Lonardo, director of the Office for University Pastoral Care of the Diocese of Rome. Father Giulio Albanese, director of the Vicariate's Office for Social Communications, will moderate.

The Latin inscription within the basilica says: “Omnium ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis mater et caput,” meaning in English: “The mother and head of all churches of the city and of the world.”

«The cathedral of Rome, Mater et Caput of all the Churches of Rome and the world – highlights Cardinal De Donatis, archpriest of the Lateran basilica – is a very particular point of reference for our Diocese and for the Universal Church. In it you can breathe the history of seventeen centuries, of a Basilica built and rebuilt three times, up to the current building from 1700. Five Ecumenical Councils were held in it. In the seat of the Chair of Peter, all Christians in the world feel the connection with the Bishop of Rome. In this place we Christians of Rome recognize once again the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, indicated by the Baptist. Here we feel, like the beloved disciple, the heart of Christ the Savior beating, consumed with love for all humanity. At the school of the two "Johns" we find the particular vocation of our Church called to preside in charity."

Furthermore, on the occasion of the anniversary celebrations, the Office for school pastoral care and teaching of the Catholic religion of the diocese of Rome is announcing a competition entitled "The Lateran basilica between faith and history", for schools of all order and degree of the diocesan territory. The objective is to promote the historical-cultural knowledge that it has represented and continues to be as the cathedral of Rome, Mater et Caput, that is, mother and head of all the churches of Rome and the world. «In these seventeen centuries – observes the director of the Rosario Chiarazzo Office – the Lateran basilica has been and is at the center of numerous events that have marked and continue to mark the civil and religious fabric of the city of Rome and of the entire Christianity. The students will be entrusted with the task of expressing, with their own sensitivity through new technologies, some characteristic aspects of this long history".
The calendar of events and celebrations is rich:
9 November 2023: Dedication of the Lateran Archbasilica. 5.30 pm: Solemn Pontifical. The Choir of the Diocese of Rome led by Monsignor Marco Frisina will perform the songs specially composed for the Dedication event.
14 November – 21-28 November – 5 December 2023: Series of religious-cultural meetings organized by Monsignor Andrea Leonardo on the theme "From Constantine to the Avignon exile". The meetings also include access to symbolic places of the Lateran Complex: the Loggias, the Apse, some relics, the excavations.
17 December 2023 at 9pm: Christmas concert of the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, directed by Monsignor Marco Frisina
January 21, 2024: Word Sunday. I invite you to read the Bible as a family and give it to you (for those who don't have it) at the end of each Mass in the Basilica. The previous evening there will be a meeting on Dei Verbum.
18 February 2024: Lenten Statio. The parishes of Rome that fall under the Prefectures of the Diocese, for the whole of Lent, that is until Palm Sunday, will experience a Lenten pilgrimage to the Baptistery and the Cathedral of San Giovanni. In it we will relive the itinerary of Christian initiation (Baptism - Confirmation - Eucharist).
7 April 2024: Sunday in Albis: celebration to relive the baptismal dimension of Easter celebrated.
12 May 2024: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. 10.30 am solemn pontifical. The special 'title' of the Basilica, dedicated to the SS, is relived. Savior.
On the evening of the event at 9 pm: “Ascension Concert” directed by Monsignor Marco Frisina.
2 June 2024: Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord. 10.30 am solemn pontifical. At the end procession with the SS. Sacrament in the Adoration chapel. The 50th anniversary of the institution of Perpetual Adoration at the SS. Sacrament established by Cardinal Poletti in 1974. The event will be preceded by a triduum in the Adoration Chapel.
24 June 2024, Solemnity of the birth of Saint John the Baptist. At 5 pm solemn Vespers and at 5.30 pm solemn Pontifical.
1 November 2024 at 9pm: Concert In hoc signo. Paintings of Constantine's life. Performed by the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, directed by Mons. Marco Frisina.
9 November 2024: Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. Solemn Pontifical at 5.30 pm. Closing of the celebrations of the 1,700th anniversary of the Lateran Archbasilica. During the day at different times presentation of the Basilica starting from the Apse to the Baptistery.

https://www.diocesidiroma.it/i-1-700-anni-della-basilica-lateranense/