The majesty of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. |
Today we commemorate the
dedication of two major basilicas combined together, St Paul outside the walls
and St Peter’s Basilica, known as the Vatican. These dedications are important
because they symbolize in a way the birth and baptism of each edifice. When the early persecutions ended in 313 AD by
King Constantine, he later built a basilica over the tomb where St Peter was
buried. It lasted almost a thousand years, and the reconstruction of the
original building started in the 14th century. The present Basilica, an
ingenious structure built with the collaboration of Michelangelo, Bramante,
Carlo Moderno, Giovanni Pannini and Bernini was officially consecrated on
November 18, 1626, by Pope Urban VIII. It is by far the most imposing and
impressive church in all of Christendom, where major celebrations, elections of
Popes, funerals, Canonizations etc, are held.
Inside St Paul's Basilica |
The
Basilica of St Paul was started by Valentinian II on the Via Ostiense in 386,
on the place where St Paul was buried. It was subsequently modified by Pope
Gregory the Great in the 6th century. It has a graceful cloister that was built
in the 13th century. Of all the churches of Rome, it had preserved its
primitive character for 1435 years. However a negligent fire destroyed it in 1823 and the new and
present Basilica was built in the 19th century and consecrated on December 10,
1854 by Pope Pius IX. The whole world contributed to its reconstruction. The
Viceroy of Egypt sent pillars of alabaster, the Emperor of Russia the precious
malachite and lapis lazuli for the
tabernacle. The work on the principal facade, looking toward the Tiber, was
completed by the Italian Government, which declared the church a national
monument. Mosaic images of all the Popes encircle the entire church. Pope Pius IX ruled that both Basilicas will have their dedication
celebration together, on November 18. Both churches are majestic in appearance,
but also very imposing in their stature as two of the 4 major basilicas in Rome
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