On top of the Palatine Hill the Severian Arcades dominate the Circus Maximus and offer one of the most beautiful views of the ancient and modern city. Still visible are the residences of Augustus, Tiberius and Domitian, imposing symbols of the power of Rome. The choice was also consolidated by his successors, who built their sumptuous palaces here (the term palatium derives from the name of the hill). And this was the place chosen by the first king of Rome in the 8th century BC to found the small village destined to become a metropolis.Īugustus, who was born there, made it the official seat of imperial power. It was here, according to legend, that the she-wolf suckled Remus and his twin Romulus. Mount Palatino has always been the monumental centre of ancient Rome. On that hill overlooking the Forum from above everything has begun. Raise your eyes now, pushing it not far from you. And again, the Basilica Emilia where business was concluded and justice administered, the Curia, seat of the Roman Senate and the Temple of Vesta, one of the oldest in Rome, where the priestesses Vestali watched over the sacred fire of the city. Imagine the beauty of ancient temples like those of Concordia, Saturn, Vespasian, or the temple dedicated to Antoninus Pius and his wife Faustina. Think of Caesar's altar, which is decorated every year on March 15th (the ancient Ides) in memory of the death of the Roman dictator. Think of the great triumphal arches like those of Titus and Septimius Severus. It is impossible to tell in a few words what awaits you when you visit the beating heart of a great capital of the past, a place of prayers and meetings, of meetings and commercial exchanges, of political and judicial life, enriched over the centuries by buildings of all kinds. There where once stretched an inhospitable swamp, drained by King Tarquinius Prisco in the seventh century, arose the fulcrum of public, economic and religious life of ancient Rome.
They reside in Vineland.Walking along Via dei Fori Imperiali, between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, you will literally be enraptured by the magnificent ruins of the ancient Roman Forum, the nerve centre of the Eternal City, from which the ancient Romans ruled the world. Father and Presvytera have led seminars and workshops for the Archdiocesan Department of Religious Education and Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta on the topics of Orthodox Religious Crafts (Orthocrafts) and Orthodox Christian Identity.
Together they have authored a six-volume series of craft books entitled, “Let Us Live Orthodoxy” to be published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department Religious Education. During his ministry in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta, Father served as Chairman of the Metropolis Prison Ministry Committee. In addition to the Master of Divinity Degree from Holy Cross, Father has earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Youth Work from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master of Science Degree in Adult and Continuing Education from National Louis University. Dean has served parishes in Palatine IL, Rock Island IL, and Winter Haven FL. He was ordained to the Diaconate in 1994 and to the Priesthood in 1995. Dean Photos is a 1991 graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.