Geddes Mission

Monday, October 4, 2021 • San Giovanni in Laterano

One great advantage of being in Italy for three months is that we can experience it in many small bites rather than consecutive days of gluttonous overdosing like we had to do when we would bring student groups to see several countries in only three or four weeks. Today I focused on the Papal Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano with its accompanying, cloister, baptistry and Scala Santa.

The impressive nave of the basilica, redesigned in the early 1700's by Italian architect Borromini, is flanked by heroic scale marble statues of the twelve apostles, frescos of old testament prophets and Biblical events in bas relief. The mosaics in the apse center around Christ flanked by saints. From cromatesque mosaic floors to sculpted and frescoed ceiling, this basilica is magnificent.

The peaceful cloister is surrounded by varied double marble columns and contains important relics including the porphyry slab on which it is believed Roman soldiers cast lots for Jesus' robe and the "Mensura Christi", a slab supported by four columns measures what is believed to be the physical height of Christ.

The Laterian Baptistry is built on the spot where tradition says the Emperor Constantine was baptized.

The Scala Santa is the stairway brought from Jerusalem by Constantine's mother that tradition says is where Christ ascended when taken before Pontius Pilate.

On these stairs faithful Catholics make the prayerful climb on their knees in an attitude of prayer. Three of the steps are stained with what is believed to be the blood of Christ. At the top of the Scala Santa lies the Sancta Sanctorum, the "Holy of Holies" of this sacred edifice. I walked up a different set of stairs and was blessed to have over 30 minutes as the only person in this small chapel "reading" the stories of saints and martyrs in the beautiful frescos. We are loving our small-bite approach to Italy.