The Feast of the Dedication and Consecration of the Lateran Basilica

The Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran is celebrated annually on November 9 in the Catholic Church. It is one of the four papal basilicas in Rome. St. Peter's Basilica, St. Paul's Basilica, and St. Mary Major are the other three.

This feast celebrates the consecration and dedication of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran in Rome by Pope Sylvester I around 324 AD. The Cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome, the basilica bears the names of the Most Holy Savior as well as of the Saints John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. It is referred to by most Romans as “St. Gianni’s.” Because of it being named for the Most Holy Savior, the anniversary feast of its dedication and consecration is considered a “Feast of the Lord,” and therefore takes precedence in the liturgical calendar over many other feasts and observances. The Archbasilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.

It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome (the official seat of the Pope as Bishop of Rome, rather than St. Peter’s Basilica). It holds the title of the "Mother and Head of all the churches of the city and the world" (omnium urbis et orbis ecclesiarum mater et caput), symbolizing the unity of all Catholic churches worldwide with Rome.

Built in the 4th century after Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan (313 AD), which granted legal recognition and religious freedom to Christians. Constantine donated the Lateran Palace lands to the Church. It was originally dedicated to Christ the Savior (Christo Salvatori), and later co-dedicated to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist.

Though initially celebrated only in Rome, Pope Benedict XIII extended the feast to the entire Latin Church in 1726 to emphasize universal Catholic unity.