This celebration keeps the rank of a feast in the current calendar, since it is the cathedral of Rome, the head of all the churches of the City and of the World. In today’s ecumenical context, the title given to it also in the Roman Martyrology—“Mother of all the churches”—might seem more fitting for the church of Jerusalem.
The church stands on the ancient property of the Lateran family, where the domus Faustae, the residence of Constantine the Great’s wife, was located. It was also called the Constantinian Basilica, because it was the emperor who gave that palace to Pope Miltiades. It is also known as the Basilica of the Savior, because of its original title, and later was dedicated as well to Saint John (both the Baptist and the Evangelist).
We do not know the exact date of the first dedication, though it likely took place around the year 324. Roman calendars, starting in the 11th century, mark its celebration on today’s date.
