Saints and Relics Saturday: Church of Domine Quo Vadis

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Outside of the main city of Rome, along the ancient Appian Way, the main road of Ancient Rome, sits the church of Domine Quo Vadis. The phrase comes from the legend of Peter (specifically, the apocryphal Acts of Peter) and is said to be the words that Peter spoke to the risen Christ.

Peter was fleeing the persecutions of Rome, and on the way out of the city on the main road, the Appian Way, he came across the risen Christ, who was headed into Rome. Peter asked him, in Latin, "Lord, where are you going." Christ replied, "I am returning to Rome to be crucified again." These are the words Peter needed to hear, to return to Rome and continue his mission.

The church is placed at the very spot on the road where this meeting is said to have taken place. Miraculously, the church housed for years the footprints of Christ, taken from when he met with Peter. (A copy of this slab now sits in the church, with the original having been moved to San Sebastiano Outside the Walls.)

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Are you interested in seeing this?

• Yes.
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• If there is time.

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