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SYNOD, meaning assembly, is a general term for ecclesiastical gatherings, and is synonymous with the word COUNCIL. However a Diocesan Synod is different from other ecclesiastical gatherings. It has only one voter and law-giver, the bishop of the diocese. In provincial or general councils, each bishop present has a vote on the matter under discussion. Pope Benedict XIV defines a Diocesan Synod as "a lawful assembly convened by the bishop in which he gathers together priests and clerics of his diocese and all others bound to attend it, for the purpose of doing and deliberation concerning what belongs to pastoral care." A ruling of the Council of Trent directs each diocese to hold a synod each year, but a mild interpretation of this law has been sanctioned by the Holy See. Diocesan Synods had their origin in the sixth century. The First Diocesan Synod of Rome with Pope John XXIII present at St. John Lateran on January 4, 1960, in the choir and the transept. It consisted of three sessions, which evidently were not on succesive days, because the Synod ended on January 31, 1960, at the Vatican. A year of preparation preceeded these three days of the Synod. It did not legislate anything, but reviewed a prospectus of more than 700 articles for future legislation. With minor changes, this prospectus eventually became the Constitution for the Diocese of Rome. It treated three general subjects: persons, pastoral action and ecclesiastical goods. The Section on Persons emphasized the discipline of the clergy. Most of the text was given to Pastoral Action - the teaching mission of the Church, the Sacraments, the Liturgy and the Apostolate of the Laity. In this section remedies are applied to the growing problems of the City of Rome. An attempt to keep the subject matter secret until its was finally promulgated failed, since there were leaks of information. Before 31 cardinals and scores of bishops and an assembly of 10,000, at a ceremony at St. Peters in July of 1960, Pope John gave official sanction to the Constitution laid down by the Synod. It went into effect in Rome on November 1, 1960, and has no legal effect outside the Diocese of Rome. It was published in Latin and Italian. Numerous synods and councils have been held at the Lateran, the most memorable of which were the five General Councils of the Lateran in 1123, 1139, 1179, 1215 and 1512-17. Under Victor I (189-99) the first Roman Synod known was held. Patently this was not held at the Lateran which did not then exist as a church. Other councils were held at the Lateran in 649, 823, 864, 900, 1102, 1105, 1110, 1111, 1112, 1116 and 1725. Two stamps of the same designs by Andreina Grassellini, L.15 and L. 60 in dark brown and gray respectively, were authorized by Ordinance XIII, Feb. 29, 1960, and the stamps were issued on that date, remaining valid for postage until January 31, 1961. They were printed by rotogravure on paper watermarked with the second type of crossed keys and were harrow perforated 14. The picture on the stamps show the apse and triumphal arch, the main altar and baldachino of St. John Lateran Basilica at Rome. The gothic canopy or baldachino was erected under Urban V about 1366-69 either by Arnolfo di Cambio or Giovanni di Stefano at the expense of Charles V of France. It is supported by three columns of granite and one of marble. In the top of the canopy are preserved the heads of Sts. Peter and Paul enshrined in silver gilt busts. The drapes toward the viewer of the stamp are sometimes drawn back to reveal likenesses of Sts. Peter and Paul, and the altar used by St. Peter. This wooden altar used by St. Peter and the first popes for the celebration of Mess is itself enclosed in the high altar below the canopy, which is a papal altar at which no one but the Pope or one designated by the Pope may celebrate Mass. The mosaics in the apse behind the top of the canopy are the work of two celebrated Franciscan artists, Fra Jacopo Torriti and Fra Jacopo da Camerino, made for Pope Nicholas IV, who was himself a Franciscan, about 1280. The mosaic figure of Christ in the upper part of the vault of the apse, according to DeRossi, dates from the fourth or fifth century. This figure of Our Lord is a memorial of a storied event which took place on November 9, 324, the day on which Pope Sylvester consecrated the Basilica to Our Blessed Saviour (San Salvador). Legend has it that at the consecration of the basilica there suddenly appeared, as though painted there, the face of the Divine Saviour, and the words of salutation were heard: "Pax vobis" (peace be to you). Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 273 - 274 Date Issued - 29 February 1960 Face Value - 15 l, 60 l Perforations - 14 Printer - The Italian State Printing Works |
| (From Vatican Notes Volume XVI, Number 2, September - October 1967, Pages 11-12) |
