The theme of the Immaculate Conception occupies an important place in Christian doctrine. She emphasizes the uniqueness of the birth of Jesus Christ, the divinity of his nature.
The teaching of the Immaculate Conception is so significant for Christians that in some cities it was immortalized in monuments. True, these monuments are not dedicated to the very conception of Jesus Christ.
Immaculate Conception Column
One of the attractions that can be seen in Rome - the capital of Italy - the Column of the Immaculate Conception. True, this is not about the conception of Jesus Christ. The fact is that in Italy Catholicism is preached, and in the Catholic Church, unlike the Orthodox, it is believed that not only the Savior himself was conceived immaculately, but also His mother, the Virgin Mary. This monument is dedicated to her conception.
The column is located in Piazza di Spagna (Piazza di Spagna), adjacent to the office of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
The initiator of the creation of this wonderful monument was King of Both Sicily Ferdinand II. This was preceded by important historical events. In 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, previously absent from Catholic dogma. In addition, a dispute was settled between the Papal region and Naples, who refused an annual tribute to the Pope. These events marked the creation of the Column of the Immaculate Conception.
The project of the monument was developed by architect L. Poletti, and in December 1857 a marble column was erected. Its length is 11.8 m, on the top there is a bronze statue of the Virgin Mary, trampling the feet of a serpent, which symbolizes original sin. Near the base of the column are statues of four biblical heroes - King David, the prophets of Moses, Ezekiel and Isaiah.
Every year on December 8 (on the anniversary of the opening of the monument) the Pope comes to the square and brings a wreath of white lilies, symbolizing integrity. Using a crane, a wreath is placed on the right hand of the statue of the Holy Virgin, where he remains until the next ceremony.
