phantomoftherats

[phantomoftherats]

Elements Project

1.) Lateran Palace, Rome

The first out of my five choices is the Lateran Palace in Rome, which also includes the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the Holy Stairs. I chose this because not only was I able to go into the basilica, but I was also able to see the Holy Stairs. We did not climb them, but it was a very unique thing to be able to see many people climbing them on their knees all the way to the top. The significance of this place to the reformation is that the Fifth Lateran Council took place here. The council was the response to another council summoned in Pisa. It was able to restore some peace among christian rulers who were in disagreement. I also don’t mean this in a bad way, but outside of the building was far more bland then I imagined.

2.) Westminster Abbey, London

The second place we got to visit was Westminster Abbey in London. We did not get to go inside, but were able to stand right outside. I know that today the church is used for coronations and weddings of the royal family and I think that is quite an interesting choice. The outside is also very beautiful and recognizable from just the outside. There was an assembly that happened in Westminster Abbey in 1643 and discussed reforms that should happen in the Church of England. The documents that came out of those meetings are still used by Presbteryians today and are called the Westminster Standards. 

3.) John Knox House, Edinburgh Scotland

The third place is John Knox’s house which is located in Edinburgh, Scotland. We again were not able to go in, but it was very small and quaint looking. His house is now used as a museum part of the Scottish Storytelling Center and can be found along the Royal Mile. John Knox is a very famous Protestant reformer who did a lot of work in Scotland until he was later exiled and went to England to continue his work. 

4.) Basilica of St. Servatius/ Church of St. John, Maastricht

The fourth place is the Church of St. John in Maastricht, Netherlands. I remember going to this church expecting a lot more of what we had already seen of churches, and it was very different. The church had once been catholic and was turned into a Protestant church in 1633. They took down any art, smashed the stained-glass windows, and took out any semblance that would make it seem Catholic. I also remember the church because some of us decided to climb the terrible red tower that was later added on. The staircase was steep, terribly narrow, and was awful. 

5.) The Beguinage, Bruges Belgium

Lastly, there is The Beguinage in Bruges, Belgium. They may also be referred to as the Begijnhof. It's a community of white houses that all make the border to a convent garden. It was founded in 1245 and is a world heritage site. The only people that can live there are women who pledge their lives to celibacy. I think this place was very neat because when do you just see a small convent of religious women. These communities of women were affected by the reformation and saw it as a crisis. There were many different groups of the Beguinage in many different countries, so they had to stick together and help the church in any way they could.