Rome Passion of Christ Tour: Roman Churches & the Lateran Basilica

Begin your tour with a visit to one of the oldest churches in Rome, dedicated to Theotokos (Mother of God). This church contains, beneath its center altar, wood from the manger in which the Lord Jesus Christ once lay. The church is adorned with art from every epoque of Italian history and even holds the body of the devout Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Then, walk to the Basilica of Santa Prassede. Built in the 8th century, it holds some of the finest examples of medieval Christian art and holds a fragment of the pillar upon which Christ was flogged. Only a few yards away, enter the church of San Alfonso Ligouri to see the beautiful 15th-century Byzantine icon “Our Lady of Perpetual Help/Succour,” also known as the Virgin of the Passion or Theotokos of the Passion. Next, head to the Church of the Holy Stairs/Steps (Santa Scala). These stairs were brought from Jerusalem by St Helena (the mother of Roman Emperor Constantine) and are so named because they are the steps which led to the praetorium of the then Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate. Since the Lord Jesus did descend those very steps in condemnation, all pilgrims ascend them on their knees. From there, visit the Cathedral of Rome, the Basilica of Saint John Lateran (San Giovanni Laterano), and finally enter a church built by St. Helena. The church, built over spread earth and with relics from Jerusalem, was her personal chapel, and contains relics of the Passion of Christ including those of the Holy Sepulcher, the Cave of Bethlehem, a Nail of The Crucifixion, a Thorn of The Crown and a small walnut board reading Jesus the Nazarene king of the Jews.