Photos, videos and docs of Martin M. Miles, with the keywords: "Rome"

Roma - San Pietro in Vincoli

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 21:46:03 +0000

The "Liberation of Saint Peter" is an event described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 12:7

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands."

Aelia Eudocia, consort of Valentinian II, had received these chains from Iuvenalis, bishop of Jerusalem. She later presented the relics to her daughter Empress Eudoxia (wife of Valentinian III), who finally bestowed the chains to Pope Leo I (aka "Leo the Great". According to the legend, Leo compared them to the chains of St. Peter's imprisonment in Rome - and miraculously the two chains fused together.

The basilica San Pietro in Vincoli (= Saint Peter in Chains) was erected to house these valuable relics. It was consecrated in 439. The basilica underwent several restorations and further work in the eleventh century.

Most people entering the church may not have come to see the chains, but the Tomb of Pope Julius II. But there is not only the statue of Moses, Michelangelo's undisputed master work. Moses has horns on his head, based on a description in the Vulgate, the translation of the Bible used at that time. Moses' head is described as "cornuta" there.

Roma - San Pietro in Vincoli

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 16:34:51 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Roma - San Pietro in Vincoli

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:50:13 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Liberation of Saint Peter" is an event described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 12:7

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands."

Aelia Eudocia, consort of Valentinian II, had received these chains from Iuvenalis, bishop of Jerusalem. She later presented the relics to her daughter Empress Eudoxia (wife of Valentinian III), who finally bestowed the chains to Pope Leo I (aka "Leo the Great". According to the legend, Leo compared them to the chains of St. Peter's imprisonment in Rome - and miraculously the two chains fused together.

The basilica San Pietro in Vincoli (= Saint Peter in Chains) was erected to house these valuable relics. It was consecrated in 439. The basilica underwent several restorations and further work in the eleventh century.

Most people entering the church may not have come to see the chains, but the Tomb of Pope Julius II. But there is not only the statue of Moses, Michelangelo's undisputed master work, but as well this statue of the very relaxed Pope Julius II.

Roma - San Pietro in Vincoli

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:25:05 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Liberation of Saint Peter" is an event described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 12:7

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands."

Aelia Eudocia, consort of Valentinian II, had received these chains from Iuvenalis, bishop of Jerusalem. She later presented the relics to her daughter Empress Eudoxia (wife of Valentinian III), who finally bestowed the chains to Pope Leo I (aka "Leo the Great". According to the legend, Leo compared them to the chains of St. Peter's imprisonment in Rome - and miraculously the two chains fused together.

The basilica San Pietro in Vincoli (= Saint Peter in Chains) was erected to house these valuable relics. It was consecrated in 439. The basilica underwent several restorations and further work in the eleventh century.

Most people entering the church may not have come to see the chains, but the Tomb of Pope Julius II, and in its center the statue of Moses, Michelangelo's undisputed master work.

Roma - San Pietro in Vincoli

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 14:21:43 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Liberation of Saint Peter" is an event described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 12:7

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands."

Aelia Eudocia, consort of Valentinian II, had received these chains from Iuvenalis, bishop of Jerusalem. She later presented the relics to her daughter Empress Eudoxia (wife of Valentinian III), who finally bestowed the chains to Pope Leo I (aka "Leo the Great". According to the legend, Leo compared them to the chains of St. Peter's imprisonment in Rome - and miraculously the two chains fused together.

The basilica San Pietro in Vincoli (= Saint Peter in Chains) was erected to house these valuable relics. It was consecrated in 439. The basilica underwent several restorations and further work in the eleventh century.

Seen here is the reliquary containing the chains - and a Nativity scene below. The chain must be "incomplete", as I saw one link in the Aachen Cathedral Treasury recently.

Roma - San Pietro in Vincoli

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 12:33:07 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Liberation of Saint Peter" is an event described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 12:7

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands."

Aelia Eudocia, consort of Valentinian II, had received these chains from Iuvenalis, bishop of Jerusalem. She later presented the relics to her daughter Empress Eudoxia (wife of Valentinian III), who finally bestowed the chains to Pope Leo I (aka "Leo the Great". According to the legend, Leo compared them to the chains of St. Peter's imprisonment in Rome - and miraculously the two chains fused together.

The basilica San Pietro in Vincoli (= Saint Peter in Chains) was erected to house these valuable relics. It was consecrated in 439. The basilica underwent several restorations and further work in the eleventh century. The 18th century added a very Baroque touch inside.

Roma - San Pietro in Vincoli

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 11:49:34 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Liberation of Saint Peter" is an event described in the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 12:7

"And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his hands."

Aelia Eudocia, consort of Valentinian II, had received these chains from Iuvenalis, bishop of Jerusalem. She later presented the relics to her daughter Empress Eudoxia (wife of Valentinian III), who finally bestowed the chains to Pope Leo I (aka "Leo the Great". According to the legend, Leo compared them to the chains of St. Peter's imprisonment in Rome - and miraculously the two chains fused together.

The basilica San Pietro in Vincoli (= Saint Peter in Chains) was erected to house these valuable relics. It was consecrated in 439. The basilica underwent several restorations and further work in the eleventh century. The portico was added in 1475.

Most people entering the church may not have come to see the chains, but one of Michelangelo´s masterworks: the Tomb of Pope Julius II.

Roma - Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 08:53:29 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo (aka "Santi Giovanni e Paolo al Celio") is an ancient basilica, located on the Celian Hill.

The church was built in 398 over the home of two Roman soldiers (Giovanni and Paolo), martyred in 362. The foundations of this house still exist under the basilica.

The church was damaged during the sack by Alaric I and because of an earthquake (442), restored in the 9th century, sacked again by the Normans (1084), and again restored, with the addition of a monastery and a bell tower seen here.

Unfortunately the basilica was locked.

Roma - Fontana di Trevi

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 06:42:21 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The Trevi Fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini is the largest fountain in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Standing 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide, the fountain has appeared in films.

In Fellini´s "La Dolce Vita" Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni take a bath here at nighttime. The enduring standard "Three Coins in the Fountain" sung by Frank Sinatra in 1954 was title song of the Academy Award winning film.

Millions of tourists still throw coins into the fountain. Estimated 3000 Euros get collected daily - and support a supermarket for poor and needy. To steal coins from the fountain is illegal.

Even in the middle of winter, there are lots of tourists here, taking selfies.

Roma - Fontana di Trevi

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 22:37:58 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The Trevi Fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini is the largest fountain in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world. Standing 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide, the fountain has appeared in films.

In Fellini´s "La Dolce Vita" Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni take a bath here at nighttime. The enduring standard "Three Coins in the Fountain" sung by Frank Sinatra in 1954 was title song of the Academy Award winning film.

Millions of tourists still throw coins into the fountain. Estimated 3000 Euros get collected daily - and support a supermarket for poor and needy. To steal coins from the fountain is illegal.

Yes, there were many tourists. Even in the middle of winter.

Roma - Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 21:27:27 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Roma - Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 15:43:05 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Santa Maria Maggiore was erected under Pope Sixtus III (432–440) and retains the core of its original structure, despite several alterations, redecorations and additions, especially after the earthquake of 1348 had damaged the basilica. The apse and the transept arms date to the 13th century.

Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the first churches built in honour of the Virgin Mary. The building started just after Council of Ephesus (431), which proclaimed Mary Mother of God. It is one of the four Papal Basilicas and one of the seven Pilgrim Churches in Rome.

The 36 white marble columns supporting the nave came probably from an antique Roman temple. Above them are 36 mosaics dated to the 5th century.

The floor has a "cosmatesque" mosaics from around 1150. The style goes back to the Roman family Cosmati, the leading family workshop of marble craftsmen for generations.

On display in the the Borghese Chapel of the Basilica is the "Salus Populi Romani", a venerated image of the Virgin. The Byzantine icon of the Madonna and Child, is possibly originally of the 5th century.

Roma - Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 12:01:04 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Roma - St. Peter's Basilica

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 09:13:12 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Piazza del Risorgimento", where our hotel was located, borders to the "State of Vatican City". So we saw the dome of St. Peter's Basilica every night, when we returned.

Roma - Sancta Sanctorum

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 08:45:31 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Scala Santa" (Holy Stairs), a set of 28 steps, brought to Rome about 326 by St. Helena, and - following the tradition - the steps of Pontius Pilate on which Jesus stepped on his way to trial, lead to the "Sancta Sanctorum" (Holy of Holies), once the personal chapel of the Popes, who resided here. It is the only part of the old Lateran palace that was not destroyed.

This chapel housed an immense collection of relics. Seen on the altar is an "acheiropoieton", an image "made without hands". The legend is, that the icon, called "Uronica", was begun by St Luke and finished by angels.

www.scala-santa.it/

Roma - Scala Santa

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 22:28:39 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The "Scala Santa" (Holy Stairs) are a set of 28 steps, encased in a protective framework of wooden steps. The stairs lead to the "Sancta Sanctorum" (Holy of Holies), once the personal chapel of the Popes, who resided here.

Legends claim that the "Scala Santa" were brought to Rome about 326 by St. Helena, mother of Constantine I. In medieval times, they were known as "Scala Pilati", as according to the tradition, they are the steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ stepped on his way to trial.

The "Scala Sancta" may only be ascended on the knees. For common use, the staircase is flanked by additional staircases, on each side. Many pilgrims climb up the "Scala Sancta" on their knees, as in the Catholic Church, an indulgence has been granted for climbing the stairs on the knees.

www.scala-santa.it

Roma - Scala Santa

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 21:57:11 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Neighbouring the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is this building that as well belongs to the Lateran area and so is a property of the Holy See and so have extraterritorial privileges.

It once was part of the Lateran Palace - and houses the "Scala Santa" ("Holy Stairs) and the chapel "Sancta Sanctorum" (Holy of Holies), the personal chapel of the early Popes.

www.scala-santa.it

Roma - Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:40:17 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Roma - Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 12:10:07 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The name "Lateran" goes back to the Lateranus family, that once owned the place. The Laterani lost their properties when one of the Laterani was accused by Nero of conspiracy against the Emperor.

The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran as well as the Lateran Palace next to it are part of Italy, but as a result of the 1929 Lateran Treaty, a a property of the Holy See and so have extraterritorial privileges.

The Lateran Palace was donated to the "Bishop of Rome" by Constantine I. The palace was converted and extended, becoming the residence of Pope Silvester I.

During the Avignon Papacy (1309 - 1377) Palace and Basilica crumbled and burnt down. When the Papacy returned from Avignon to Rome, the Archbasilica and the Palace were deemed inadequate considering their severe damage. So the Popes resided at the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere and later at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.

The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran underwent many rebuildings over the centuries. Some parts like the apse still are medieval. The ciborium to the right with the heads of Saint Peter and Saint Paul dates from 1369.

Here the macabre "Synodus Horrenda" (aka "Cadaver Synod", "Cadaver Trial") took place in 897.

End of the 9th century, the western world seemed to fall apart. What Charlemagne had created had crumbled into small fractions.

At that time Formosus was bishop of a Roman suburb, but as well a very successful diplomat and missionary in the Bulgarian kingdom. Maybe he was just too successfull. Pope John VIII turned on Formosus and accused him of aspiring to the papacy. John had him excommunicated.

John then was the first pope to be murdered by his own people. He was poisoned - and when the poison worked slower than expected, his head was smashed with a hammer. Pope Marinus I succeed John and re-installed
Formosus as bishop. The following year Pope St. Adrian III succeeded Marinus, but he died already in 885 on a trip to the Frankish King Charles III (aka "the Fat"). Pope Stephen V followed shortly thereafter, but in 891it was Formosus’ turn. He managed to hold on to the papacy for five full years before dying of a stroke.

Formosus was succeeded by Boniface VI, who only ruled for 15 days before he died. Next was Pope Stephen VI., who ordered to dig up Formosus and force his corpse to stand trial for crimes Pope John VIII had excommunicated him for.

Formosus´ corpse was dragged out, dressed in papal robes, and propped up in a chair. During the trial an earthquake shook the basilica, damaging part of it. In the end Formosus was found guilty, stripped of his vestments, and had the three fingers he used for blessing on his right hand chopped off.

The corpse was buried, but then dug up and tossed in the Tiber. This was the point, when the people of Rome revolted against Stephen´s craze. A mob threw him in prison where he was strangled in his cell.

Roma - Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 10:50:06 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The name "Lateran" goes back to the Lateranus family, that once owned the place. The Laterani lost their properties when one of the Laterani was accused by Nero of conspiracy against the Emperor.

The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran as well as the Lateran Palace next to it are part of Italy, but as a result of the 1929 Lateran Treaty, a a property of the Holy See and so have extraterritorial privileges.

The Lateran Palace was donated to the "Bishop of Rome" by Constantine I. The palace was converted and extended, becoming the residence of Pope Silvester I.

During the Avignon Papacy (1309 - 1377) Palace and Basilica crumbled and burnt down. When the Papacy returned from Avignon to Rome, the Archbasilica and the Palace were deemed inadequate considering their severe damage. So the Popes resided at the Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere and later at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.

The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran underwent many rebuildings over the centuries. Some parts like the apse still are medieval. The ciborium with the heads of Saint Peter and Saint Paul dates from 1369. In front of that stairs run down to the crypt. In the center of the apse is the golden "cathedra", where the Pope used to sit.

Here the macabre "Synodus Horrenda" (aka "Cadaver Synod", "Cadaver Trial") took place in 897.

End of the 9th century, the western world seemed to fall apart. What Charlemagne had created had crumbled into small fractions.

At that time Formosus was bishop of a Roman suburb, but as well a very successful diplomat and missionary in the Bulgarian kingdom. Maybe he was just too successfull. Pope John VIII turned on Formosus and accused him of aspiring to the papacy. John had him excommunicated.

John then was the first pope to be murdered by his own people. He was poisoned - and when the poison worked slower than expected, his head was smashed with a hammer. Pope Marinus I succeed John and re-installed
Formosus as bishop. The following year Pope St. Adrian III succeeded Marinus, but he died already in 885 on a trip to the Frankish King Charles III (aka "the Fat"). Pope Stephen V followed shortly thereafter, but in 891it was Formosus’ turn. He managed to hold on to the papacy for five full years before dying of a stroke.

Formosus was succeeded by Boniface VI, who only ruled for 15 days before he died. Next was Pope Stephen VI., who ordered to dig up Formosus and force his corpse to stand trial for crimes Pope John VIII had excommunicated him for.

Formosus´ corpse was dragged out, dressed in papal robes, and propped up in a chair. During the trial an earthquake shook the basilica, damaging part of it. In the end Formosus was found guilty, stripped of his vestments, and had the three fingers he used for blessing on his right hand chopped off.

The corpse was buried, but then dug up and tossed in the Tiber. This was the point, when the people of Rome revolted against Stephen´s craze. A mob threw him in prison where he was strangled in his cell.