- published: 19 Jan 2011
- views: 98107
The Latin word basilica (derived from Greek, βασιλική στοά, Royal Stoa, the tribunal chamber of a king), was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.
The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes. The remains of a large subterranean Neopythagorean basilica dating from the 1st century AD were found near the Porta Maggiore in Rome in 1915. The stuccoes on the interior vaulting have survived, though their exact interpretation remains a matter for debate. The ground-plan of Christian basilicas in the 4th century was similar to that of this Neopythagorean basilica, which had three naves and an apse.
After the Roman Empire became officially Christian with the Edict of Thessalonica in 380, the term, by extension, came to refer specifically to a large and important church that has been given special ceremonial rights by the Pope. Thus the word retains two senses today, one architectural and the other ecclesiastical.
Saint Peter or Simon Peter was an early Christian leader and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus who is featured prominently in the New Testament Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles and who is venerated as a saint. The son of John or of Jonah, he was from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee or Gaulanitis. His brother Andrew was also an apostle. Peter is venerated in multiple churches and is regarded as the first Pope by the Catholic Church. After working to establish the church of Antioch, presiding for seven years as the leader of the city's Christian community, he preached to scattered communities of believers, Jews, Hebrew Christians and the gentiles, in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia Minor and Bithynia.[citation needed] He then went to Rome, where in the second year of Claudius, it is claimed, he overthrew Simon Magus and held the Sacerdotal Chair for 25 years.[citation needed] He is said to have been put to death at the hand of Emperor Nero.
Peter wrote two General epistles. The Gospel of Mark is also ascribed to him (as Mark was his disciple and interpreter). On the other hand, several books bearing his name—the Acts of Peter, Gospel of Peter, Preaching of Peter, Revelation of Peter, and Judgement of Peter—are rejected by the Catholic Church as Apocryphal.
Sunken eyed best friend of mine.
Why do you sit so still, still shaking?
Superhero sapped of all powers.
I'll kneel beside you, watch you for hours.
There's an angel on you leaning down to kiss your cheek.
Feathers floating on air.
This is my prayer for you.
Steps of stone, morning bright blue.
Stick of flame, a candle winks at you.
In the pew, head down I'm crying.
I think you have thoughts of dying.
I'm eclipsing them now.
Calling all allies down.
I'm consumed by your eyes.
Keep them open and full.
It's raining in your room.
Angel tears, bask sweet.
Angel eyes on you.
They love all that they see.
Dewy palm, cemetery lawn.
Walk alone in gardens of loss.
You can't have a flower of stone.
Never let this soil come between us.