![]() Somewhat less religious but very tranquil is Villa Celimontana, a lovely green space near the Colosseum and an ideal place for outdoor breakfasts and walks. Among these is the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, which is one of the seven pilgrim churches in Rome and houses the relics of the Cross brought to Rome also by Saint Helena. Not far from the basilica you can visit other monuments and churches. The most obvious site nearby is of course the Basilica of Saint John in Lateran, which you should probably visit first. This area of Rome is less touristy as compared to the area around the Vatican. What is in the Neighborhood of Scala Santa Important Religious Sites Nearby To put it in today’s parlance, I would suggest he is calling out the Virtue Signaling inherent in this type of activity. While doing so, he repeated the Lord’s Prayer on every step so that he could "redeem a soul from purgatory." When he reached the top he made his doubts known by saying: " Who knows whether this is true?" Charles Dickens And The Scala SanctaĬharles Dickens, the well known author and skeptic, after visiting the Holy Steps, wrote: "I never, in my life, saw anything at once so ridiculous and so unpleasant as this sight." He described seeing the pilgrims ascending the staircase on their knees as a "dangerous reliance on outward observances". Martin Luther, who led the Protestant Reformation and who was unsurprisingly skeptical, climbed the steps in the required manner in 1510 AD. Doubts and Skeptics Martin Luther And The Scala Sancta There are many replicas in Italy, but also in: France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Canada and the United States. Imitations of the Holy Steps were built in many locations and indulgences were often attached to them. The image is considered a Acheropìta (in latin), which I just learned means that it is believed that the icon was made without human hands but came into existence miraculously. On the wall behind the altar is the image of Jesus depicted sitting on the throne with his right hand blessing and with the Gospel scroll in his left. It is the Chapel of San Lorenzo in Palatio, called the Sancta Sanctorum for the many relics that are guarded within. The Sancta SanctorumĪt the top of the staircase, protected by a massive metal window grate, is the ancient private chapel of the Popes, at least until the Renaissance. Climbing the Holy Stairs is an act of devotion to relive the passion of Christ and to ensure plenary indulgence from one's sins. Every Friday of Lent it is customary to go up the Scala Sancta on your knees while praying. In the 18th century, the marble stairs were covered in wood to reduce the wear and tear after being significantly worn away by the many pilgrims climbing the stairs over time. If you would prefer to walk to the top to see the chapels, there are four additional staircases, two on each side, which are functional and have less historical significance. Since the early 1700s, the Holy Stairs have been encased in wood for protection, but have been briefly exposed in 2019 following restoration work.The Holy Stairs can only be climbed on one's knees. For centuries, the Scala Sancta has attracted Christian pilgrims who wish to honour the Passion of Jesus Christ. The Stairs reputedly were brought to Rome by Saint Helena in the fourth century. The Holy Stairs lead to the Church of Saint Lawrence in Palatio ad Sancta Sanctorum (Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Palatio ad Sancta Sanctorum) or simply the "Sancta Sanctorum" (English: Holy of Holies), which was the personal chapel of the early Popes.Īccording to Roman Catholic tradition, the Holy Stairs are the steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ stepped on his way to trial during his Passion. Replica stairs flank the original staircase, which may only be climbed on one's knees. Officially, the edifice is titled the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs (Pontificio Santuario della Scala Santa), and incorporates part of the old Papal Lateran Palace. The Scala Sancta (English: Holy Stairs, Italian: Scala Santa) are a set of 28 white marble steps that are Roman Catholic relics located in an edifice on extraterritorial property of the Holy See in Rome, Italy proximate to the Archbasilica of Saint John in Laterano. Wikipedia 0.0 / 0 votes Rate this definition:
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