Palm Sunday

The Basilica of St. John Lateran which is the Cathedral of Rome is the station church on Palm Sunday.  The baptistry that I did not get to see when I visited the St. John Lateran is a separate building from the main basilica.  Maybe I did?  It was so overwhelming. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkrtyrXz9bq  It served as a model for many ancient baptistries in Europe.  The building is perhaps the site of the bath house of Fausta, the second wife of Constantine the Great.  In 313, Pope Miltiades held a synod at this location which was followed by the first baptisms.  Constantine, who according to tradition was baptized by Pope Sylvester I, then built a circular baptistry.  It was replaced by the existing octagonal building during the papacy of Sixtus III (432-440).  In the center is a large round enclosure formerly used for baptisms by immersion.  In the middle now stands a large urn used for baptism.  Eight maroon-colored marble columns stand around the font enclosure.  The baptistry is surrounded by four chapels dedicated to St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist, SS. Regina and Seconda, and St. Venantius.  Some of the mosaic and art work date back to fifth century.  Tomorrow. April 17, ushers in the final week for the Elect will be baptized at the Easter Vigil.