Memorial of Saints (November 9)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Dedication of St. John Lateran
• Theodore Tiro
• Benignus or Benen, bishop
• Vitonus or Vanne, bishop

The Dedication of St. John Basilica, or St. John Lateran in Rome is to honor this basilica built by Emperor Constantine and consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324 A.D. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Rome and dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, St. John the Baptist and to the Most Holy Savior. From the 4th to the 14th century A.D. it was the official seat of the Popes. St. John Lateran is called the "mother and head of all churches in Rome and the world."

St. Theodore Tiro (d. ca. 360 A.D.) was a recruit, a "tiro", in the Roman army at Pontus on the Black Sea. He was brought before the governor because he refused to participate in the pagan rites of his comrades. He was then set free temporarily but he took the opportunity to put in flames the pagan temple of Cybele. He was again brought before the judges and tortured. After the examination, he was condemned to death. After being burned to death in a furnace his cult became popular in the East and he became known as one of the best "warrior saints".