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The Holy Steps at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
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One might think that the cathedral of Rome would be St. Peter's, but it isn't. St. Peter's isn't technically in Rome, it is in Vatican City. The official cathedral of Rome (and hence the seat of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope)) is the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano. Besides beings a grand church with amazing sculptures, this site is famed for something else, the holy steps. |
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The Holy Steps (Scala Sancta) are claimed, by tradition, to be the steps from the praetorium of Pilate in Jerusalem and were thus walked upon by Jesus, during the Passion. It is believed that the 28 marble steps were brought to Rome by Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. The steps are considered to be holy relics and thus must be treated properly. To preserve them, they are actually covered with a layer of wood. There are holes with glass apertures in the wood to reveal locations that are supposed to be stained with the blood of Jesus. It is forbidden to walk up the stairs. Anyone that climbs the steps must do so on their knees, saying a prayer on each step. There are narrow windows in time where pilgrims are allowed to be on the stairs. We were fortunate enough to, by pure chance, happen upon the stairs a minute before they were roped off. We climbed the stairs, on our knees. It is a quite uncomfortable experience. |
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