The Feast of Saint John Lateran is on November 9th. This is a Twitter tour of the Cathedral of Rome. If you enjoy his sort of thing, you should follow me on Twitter.
Today is the Feast of the Cathedral of Rome, Saint John Lateran, and I'm going to show you around… pic.twitter.com/oR1L9NJtlX
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Fun fact. There is no saint named “John Lateran.” This church is built on the Lateran land and the church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist.
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Lateranus was the owner of the land. He felt Nero should be dethroned and killed. Instead, Nero had the Lateran family executed and took their land.
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
After Constantine defeated Maxentius in 312, he marched to this spot and gave the land to the Church for public worship.
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
For the next one thousand years, the Apostolic Palace was located here, beside Saint John Lateran.
To put this into perspective, the pope has only lived at the Vatican for about 700 or so years, with a few moves.
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Of all churches in the city & the world, this is the mother & head. Fitting for Rome's Cathedral. pic.twitter.com/A619Rp7gBO
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
The baptistery.
If this is the Mother Church and we are born through baptism. The Saint Joh. Lateran baptistery is a bit like the womb of the Church. pic.twitter.com/i1OJZ3Xylc
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Tallest and oldest Egyptian obelisk in the world. From the Temple of the Sun in Heliopolis.
The obelisk dates to the 15th century B.C.
Because of the age and where it was located, it would have been seen by Moses. pic.twitter.com/IB60X10bNW
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
The doors.
These doors are from the Roman Senate House. As they belonged to the Roman Curia, think of those who may have walked through: Caesar, Augustus, Elizabeth Taylor?
The doors were moved to the Cathedral to show the people that now the Church makes the rules. pic.twitter.com/nfYsXnMdGV
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
The central nave of the church is lined with statues of the Apostles. I’ll follow with a few of my favorites. pic.twitter.com/jogvqPEWpv
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
In Christian art, martyrs often hold the instruments of their martyrdom — the thing that killed them.
Saint Bartholomew was skinned alive. She his skin and the knife? pic.twitter.com/URVWEyVqBO
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Saint Simon was sawed in half. pic.twitter.com/PIEfRlqyuO
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Here’s Saint Philip driving the dragon out of the temple.
The dragon didn’t kill him, but that cross did. pic.twitter.com/HzRdadlWkG
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Here is Saint John, not martyred, instead with the eagle that represents his gospel. pic.twitter.com/C8kIjZLWBJ
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Saint Thomas. You see his (doubting) finger and the carpenter square to symbolize his profession. pic.twitter.com/hNoxxrIR7G
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Saint Paul. Usually depicted with a sword (beheaded) and a book. He was known to write a few letters. pic.twitter.com/ylEnuvgQEs
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Saint Peter. He holds the keys, of course. pic.twitter.com/OfwVoU6Sxg
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
As amazing as this place is, one of the highlights, and a true rarity in Rome… a free public restroom! pic.twitter.com/t1poAv9P1l
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Back to the beauty. Remember to always look up when visiting churches… pic.twitter.com/lvVILL7I6i
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
While Saint Peter is buried at Saint Peter’s Basilica, and Saint Paul is buried at Saint Paul Outside the Walls, their heads are in these reliquaries at our head church. pic.twitter.com/B3f9gwyEW6
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
That mosaic at the top of the apse is one of the earliest legal images of Christ. It’s from the fourth century and based on an apparition of Christ when this church was first consecrated. pic.twitter.com/kZUxuoqbh5
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
As the Cathedral of Rome, this is the seat of the Bishop (the Pope). Here is the actual Bishop's seat. pic.twitter.com/RiQuiZISIT
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
It’s easy to overlook the floor in such a place, but it's one of my favorites in Rome. pic.twitter.com/QuOyzEzEif
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
The coolness factor of relics is quite personal. But I’ve always been fond of this one…
Part of the table used at the Last Supper is located right behind that gold relief. pic.twitter.com/WkFjxyWQgV
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
I love the origins of our Church. I love the splendor. I love the history. This church has it all.
But, I also love the crazy, the odd, and the creepy of our Church. Guess what? This church has that too.
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
For example, the cenotaph of Pope Sylvester. Was known to sweat when a pope was near death. pic.twitter.com/405QeHkGzI
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
One of my favorite odd ball Catholic stories is the Cadaver Synod.
The corpse of Pope Formosus was dug up and put on trial here at the Cathedral.
He did a terrible job defending himself, so he was found guilty and tossed into the Tiber.
Not one of our better days.
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
Saint John Lateran has an amazing history, gorgeous art, awesome relics, and even a little crazy. But, my favorite part…
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018
My favorite part of Saint John Lateran is this painting in the Choir Chapel.
A no nonsense way of saying, this (Christ) becomes this (Eucharist).
And that’s really what it’s all about and why we are here. pic.twitter.com/w9Nh4xuefv
— The Catholic Traveler (@MountainButorac) November 9, 2018