St. John in Lateran

Rome is full of diversities and this includes the diverse Roman Catholic churches that you can visit say for instance St. John in Lateran. St. John in Lateran is a good choice among other several Catholic basilicas in Rome, since there is more about it that meets the eye. And if you want new discoveries, ancient facts and stories, and valuable encounters, then St. John in Lateran is the church to be.

St. John in Lateran: The Seat of Christiandom in Rome

St. John in Lateran basilica is the first Church of Rome. The adjoining Lateran palace of the church had homed Popes and the family of Laterani until they transfer in Avignon in 1305. St. John in Lateran has battled fire; it has even ravaged earthquakes; and it has survived damages inflicted by the ancient people. More so, St. John in Lateran shelters six papal tombs within its wall.

St. John in Lateran altar contains many relics that include both the heads of St. Paul and St. Peter, and a part of St. Peter’s wooden altar.

Besides, St. John in Lateran was dedicated to John the Evangelist and John the Baptist. Also known as the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, St. John in Lateran is also one of the four major basilicas in Rome.

Yes, you might have known that St. John in Lateran is a reputable and one of the holiest churches around the world. In fact, apart from being the cathedral of the bishop of Rome or the Pope, it is also named as: Omnium urbis et orbis Ecclesiarum Mater et Caput or “the Cathedral of Rome and of the World.”

More Powerful and Moving Facts about St. John in Lateran

San Giovanni in Laterano or St. John in Lateran was constructed under the reign of Constantine during the 4th century.  On the other hand, it was bestowed to the Savior on November 9, 318.
At that time, it was very much taken care of by Constantine himself since beautiful decorations had been embellished in the order of the King. Along with the seven altars of St. John in Lateran other valuable church accessories and structures had been placed as well such as:

•    The seven gilded candlesticks inlaid with images of prophets
•    The gold voil for the apse vault
•    The 111 chandeliers
•    The baptistery on the north western corner of the church
•    The seven oratories

If you desire to see these, then you are lucky indeed since you can still see everything in its original form. Other equally important structures that delight the eyes when you visit St. John Lateran include:
1.    The two-storied portico which comprises the facade of the basilica that can be dated from the 18th century
2.    The large statues of Christ and the saints that are also dated 18th century
3.    The central bronze doors
4.    The Roman statue of Constantine the Great
5.    The Cosmatesque pavement in the nave which dates back 14th century
6.    The statues in the nave date from the time of Pope Clement XI (1701–1721)
7.    The Altar of the Holy Sacrament

These are just some of the indispensable structures you can find inside St. John in Lateran which you shouldn’t miss at all. And as you visit and take pleasure to the wonders and beauty of St. John in Lateran you will feel blessed that you were able to take the chance of seeing St. John in Lateran.