9 NOVEMBER: DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA, CATHEDRAL OF ROME

Mater et Caput of all Churches

The Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour, and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, commonly known as Saint John Lateran, is the Cathedral of Rome. Mater et Caput of all the Churches in the Urbe and Orbe, it is a point of reference for the Universal Church. On 9 November, we celebrate its dedication by Pope Sylvester, which took place in 324, 1,700 years ago.

The neighbourhood in which the Basilica is located once included a property that belonged to the aristocratic, Lateran family. In the fourth century, the Domus Faustae, the house of Fausta, was located in this area. The woman was believed to be the wife of Constantine and the sister of Maxentius. Constantine had given Pope Miltiades the land to build a domus ecclesia.

The Basilica was consecrated in 324 by Pope Sylvester and dedicated to the Most Holy Saviour. In the ninth century, Sergius III extended the dedication to Saint John the Baptist, and in the twelfth century, Lucius II extended it to Saint John the Evangelist. From the fourth century until the end of the Avignon period (14th century), the Lateran Basilica was the only See of the papacy. The feast of 9 November was established at this time.

The Chair of the Bishop of Rome is considered a symbolic reference point of unity for all the Churches in the Urbe and Orbe. Saint Ignatius of Antioch, successor of Peter in the episcopal See of Syria, had recognized that the Church of Rome “presides in charity” (Letter to the Romans, Greeting).

Perhaps the decision to celebrate the liturgical memorial on 9 November, coincides with the Eastern Church’s commemoration of a miraculous image of the Most Holy Saviour on the same day.