Latest news with #Patriarchate
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Egypt says the sovereignty of a famous monastery is assured
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt says the sovereignty of a famous monastery is assured. Egypt's foreign minister on Wednesday told his Greek counterpart that the spiritual and religious value of the Saint Catherine Monastery and surrounding archaeological sites will be preserved. That's according to a statement. The Greek Orthodox Church had been concerned after an administrative court said the state owns the land but affirmed the monks' right to use the site. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem last week expressed concern and said 'it is our sacred obligation to ensure that Christian worship continues on this holy ground, as it has done for 17 centuries.' It acknowledged Egypt's assurances there would be no infringement. Egypt's presidency last week said the ruling consolidates the state's commitment to preserve the monastery's religious status.
Toronto Star
6 days ago
- General
- Toronto Star
Egypt says the sovereignty of a famous monastery is assured
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt says the sovereignty of a famous monastery is assured. Egypt's foreign minister on Wednesday told his Greek counterpart that the spiritual and religious value of the Saint Catherine Monastery and surrounding archaeological sites will be preserved. That's according to a statement. The Greek Orthodox Church had been concerned after an administrative court said the state owns the land but affirmed the monks' right to use the site. The Patriarchate of Jerusalem last week expressed concern and said 'it is our sacred obligation to ensure that Christian worship continues on this holy ground, as it has done for 17 centuries.' It acknowledged Egypt's assurances there would be no infringement. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Egypt's presidency last week said the ruling consolidates the state's commitment to preserve the monastery's religious status.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
The ancient papal palace discovered under Rome
Archaeologists in Rome have unearthed an ancient palace believed to have housed Popes between the 9th and 13th centuries. The complex architecture, discovered beneath Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, features walls made of volcanic tuff blocks, some showing signs of restoration. Researchers suggest the structures may have been part of the Patriarchate, the papal residence before the Vatican, which included a grand reception hall. The walls, possibly built for defence against Saracens and feuding families, lost their purpose when the papal seat moved to Avignon, France, in 1305. This discovery, deemed "extraordinarily important", offers valuable insights into Rome's mediaeval history.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Archaeologists unearth ancient hidden palace under Rome likely home to Popes
Archaeologists have unearthed a hidden ancient palace under Rome that was likely home to the Popes between the ninth and thirteenth centuries AD before the Vatican seat was established. In preparation for the Jubilee Year 2025, several parts of Rome, including the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano, have been subject to renovations. During one such renovation work, researchers stumbled upon complex architecture beneath the Piazza, including walled structures. The walls were found to have large blocks of volcanic rock bricks, or tuff, that appear to have also been reused by other structures that no longer exist. Some elements found on the wall, such as the presence of a bandage on the blocks, indicate they were subject to restoration interventions. In the westward sections of the wall, archaeologists observed a more irregular technique used in its construction. Researchers suspect these structures may belong to the Patriarchate, the residence of leaders that consisted of a grand reception hall called the monumental basilica. During the Middle Ages, the structure was enlarged and renovated several times and became the papacy, or the Pope's official residence, according to the Italian Ministry of Culture. This was a time of turmoil among Rome's aristocratic families, experts say, indicating that the wall around the ancient basilica may have served as a form of defence around it. 'The construction of the structure just described took place during a long period in which Rome was the object of the raids of the Saracens, and inside it there were continuous struggles, sometimes violent, between the aristocratic families,' the Italian ministry noted. It was only in 1305 that the papal capital was moved from the Patriarchate to Avignon, France, the ministry said. Once the papal seat was transferred to the Vatican, the need to have a structure to defend the Patriarchate fell, and with this, the wall lost its functionality and was buried with all memory of it lost. The findings offer a glimpse into the life and development of this part of Rome. 'The discoveries of Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano are yet another demonstration of the richness of the territory of Rome, an inexhaustible mine of archaeological treasures,' said Gennaro Sangiuliano, the Italian minister of culture. The discovery, according to the Italian ministry, is 'of extraordinary importance' to Rome and its medieval history, as no other such extensive archaeological excavations have taken place in the region. 'Every single stone speaks to us and tells its story: thanks to these important finds, archaeologists will be able to know more about our past,' Mr Sangiuliano said.
