Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano

Associated Faiths:

Roman Catholicism

Also frequented by Christians of other High and Low-Church traditions, as well as non-religous and religious tourists of other faith traditions

Accessibility:

Open to visitors. Modest clothing required: no sleeveless, low-cut garments, shorts that end above the knee, miniskirts, or hats.

Annual Visitors: 3,000,000

History

It is claimed that the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran was the first “legal Christian church in the world.” Built around the time of the Council of Nicaea (AD 325), and only about a decade after the Edict of Milan (AD 313)—which legalized the Christian faith—the Emperor Constantine is ultimately responsible for its existence. Indeed, Constantine and his Mother (Emperess Helena) are the source of some of the most important and earliest of Christian pilgrimage sites. Helena was known for having a “gift” for identifying Christian artifacts and Christian holy sites.

The original name of the Basilica is “Christ the Savior” (sometimes rendered “Most Holy Christ the Savior”)—a name which, to this day, remains engraved on the façade of the building. The structure was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake in the 9th century. It was rebuilt and finally rededicated in the 10th century. At that time, a baptistry was added to the archbasilica and, thus, Pope Sergius III rededicated the church to Saint John the Baptist. In the 12th century, the archbasilica was rededicated again, this time by Pope Lucius II, who chose to rededicate it to John the Evangelist. Hence the change of the name from the Basilica of “Christ the Savior” to the Basilica of “St. John Lateran.” The “Lateran” portion of the name was added because the archbasilica was built on land once owned by the patrician family of Laterani. To this day, however, “Christ the Savior” is the “true” and proper name of this sacred site.

The building dates to approximately AD 324. However, parts of it predate that. For example, the massive doors were originally part of the pre-Christian Roman Curia or Senate (circa 80 BCE). They were installed in St. John Lateran sometime in the 17th century, having been preserved for nearly two millennia prior to that.

Over the centuries, various popes and wealthy benefactors made donations to the building, creating a rather ornate interior. As a consequence, some began to refer to it as the “Basilica Aurea” or “Golden Basilica.” However, as a consequence of invaders, many of the early donated treasures were plundered, and the interior appearance today is much different than it was when it was originally constructed (in the 4th century). Less elaborate, but no less sacred, the archbasilica is a popular place for pilgrims and tourists alike.

Religious Significance

Technically, Saint John Lateran (rather than the Vatican and St. Peter’s) is the “seat” of the Bishop of Rome, the Roman Catholic Pope. Between the 4th and 14th centuries, it was the residence of every Roman Catholic pope. Thus, in the apse of that Basilica is the cathedra or “throne” of the pope—symbolic of his teaching authority and infallibility (on matters of faith and morals). Thus, when it is said that the pope is speaking ex cathedra (or “from the chair”), it has reference to his throne in Saint John Lateran. As a consequence of this church symbolizing the pope’s authority, five of the Church’s 21 ecumenical councils have been held there (whereas only two have been held at the Vatican). As a consequence of its association with so many popes and so many councils, in addition to housing the papal throne, for believing Catholics this is sacred ground indeed!

Saint John Lateran is sometimes referred to as the “Mother Church of the world”—it being the oldest of the four “Major Basilica” and one “Minor Basilica.” (Each of these were known as “Patriarchal Basilicas” until 2006, when Pope Benedict XVI relinquished the title of “Patriarch of the West” and changed their names to “Papal Basilicas.”) These five churches were originally among the five episcopal sees of the ancient patriarchs—the Pope (or “Patriarch of the West”) at St. John Lateran, the Patriarch of Constantinople at St. Peter’s, the Patriarch of Alexandria at St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Patriarch of Antioch at St. Mary Major, and the Patriarch of Jerusalem at St. Lawrence Outside the Walls. St. John Lateran was the first of these to be built and is considered the “highest ranking” of the five “Patriarchal Basilicas.” This to makes is a “sacred site.”

Saint John Lateran is also one of seven “Pilgrim Churches” in Rome. Starting in the mid-sixteenth century, it became a tradition to visit all seven of these churches, i.e., St. John Lateran, St. Peter’s, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Mary Major, St. Lawrence Outside the Walls, Holy Cross in Jerusalem, and St. Sebastian Outside the Walls—which was replaced (by Pope John Paul II) as a pilgrimage site (in 2000) by the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love. The point of the pilgrimage to these seven churches is to counteract the sinful and raucous behavior promoted by Carnival; using pilgrimage and personal holiness to combat carnality and sin.

The archbasilica is said to house parts of the skulls of Saints Peter and Paul (enclosed in busts of these two apostles). Traditional also claims that it houses the very table used by Jesus for the Last Supper. Present in the archbasilica is also another wooden table on which Pether (and other early popes) consecrated the Eucharist. The combination of these relics and the actual chair (or “throne”) of Peter and his successors, makes this church a “sacred space” and site of pilgrimage for millions of believers each year.

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