Christianity's Mother Church and Rome's Oldest Basilica St John Lateran Celebrates its 1,700th Anniversary!
The Basilica of Saint John Lateran, named after both Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, celebrates 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. The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Saint John the Baptist and the Evangelist, was inaugurated by Pope Sylvester in the presence of Constantine in 324.
The chapter of the Cathedral of The Pope and the entire diocese of Rome held religious and cultural initiatives throughout the year 2023-2024 to experience the event.
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."
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.
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