Nine years shorter in Purgatory. Thats what Catholics get for each step they climb on their knees in a Vatican staircase, claimed to have been transported to Rome from Jerusalem.
The so-called «Sacred Steps» in Rome is supposed to be the staircase from Pontius Pilate’s mansion, on which the Catholics are told Christ was made to walk on his knees, carrying the cross.
People still walk on their knees on those 30 odd steps as a mark of Jesus’ sacrifice for mankind. And there are 4 places on the stairs that are encased in gold-framed glass, supposed to be places where drops of Jesus’ blood fell.
How Pilate’s staircase came to Rome?
Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine, brought it from wherever she might have found it.
In the Catholic Church, plenary indulgence can be granted for climbing the stairs on the knees. Pius VII on 2 September 1817 granted those who ascend the stairs in the prescribed manner an indulgence of nine years for every step. Finally Pius X, on 26 February 1908, granted a plenary indulgence to be gained as often as the stairs are devoutly ascended after confession and communion.
Not a few popes are recorded to have performed this pious exercise; Pius IX, who in 1853 entrusted the Passionist Fathers with the care of the sanctuary, ascended the Holy Stairs on 19 September 1870, the eve of the entrance of the Piedmontese into Rome.
There are replicas (holy copies) of these Holy Stairs at Lourdes, France; St. Anne de Beaupre, Canada; Tytuvenia, Lithuania; Abruzzi, Italy; Nasonville, Rhode Island and at St. Patrick’s.
My comment:
First:
There is no words in the Bible, about Jesus being dragged in a staircase in the Governor`s palace in Jerusalem. And if there ever was such a staircase, how did it end up as a pagan Roman Queens possession, more than 300 years after the life of Jesus?
Second:
And if there were blood in this staircase, how did anyone come to know if the blood was of Jesus? No one had His DNA-profile.
Since Pilate washed his hands of Jesus, would it not be reasonable, that someone would have cleaned up the mess in the staircase?
Third:
Frankly, it is more than unlikely that the Governor would make his presumed blood stained staircase into a «Museum» for a Jew the Jewish crowed wanted to get rid off, and the Roman soldiers crucified.
Forth:
In Mathew 28 you can read how the chief priests and the Jewish elders tried their best to blot out any traces and evidences of a risen Messiah, a cover-up that was supposed to have pleased Pilate.
Fifth:
How do you transport a staircase? I guess it must have been difficult to demolish? Was the building also demolished, and a proper copy of the castle built in Rome, to fit the staircase?
Six:
Jesus did not redeem mankind in the presence of Pilate, and any penance in such a staircase that will redeem the dead Catholics from «purgatory» is not-Biblical non sense.
The Vatican is cheating. The pagans claimed to be «Christians» has built a religion around a copy-cat Jesus, and religious rituals based on fabricated stories that perverts the truth.
ivarfjeld.com 
Dear Ivar,
Shalom and Praise The LORD JESUS CHRIST.
One thing everyone should never forget in their life time is that “IT IS NOT BY WORKS, BY GRACE WE ARE SAVED”
————————————————————————————————————
Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Rom 4:3 For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;
Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
————————————————————————————————————
Before you start trying to explain your opinion on something, you may want to do a little research first. If you did your research prior to writing, this would be far less embarrassing for you. First and foremost, Helen was not a Pagan Roman Queen, SHE IS A SAINT-SAINT HELENA!! Helen converted to Christianity and had a great deal of influence over her son, Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. Helen went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and is actually credited by many for finding the cross that Christ was crucified on-this however has not been substantiated. Most importantly, HELEN MADE CHRISTIANITY THE OFFICIAL RELIGION OF ROME IN 325 AD. When I have more time to write, I’ll discredit your theory on Christ not having to walk up Stairs prior to Pontious Pilot washing his hands and sealing Christ’s fate to Crucifixion.
Thank you, thank you, I do hope you have more time to answer to some of the naysayers.
I am leaving for rome italy may 4th and do indeed climb up every step on my knees. the people who chose to deny saint helena,I shall pray for them.
God Bless you my friend.
In the Catholic Church?
this ghastly monstrosity is a totally evil blasphemy by Rome, and they shall receive the greater judgement as a result. how did these MARBLE steps come to be in Pilate’s mansion in Jerusalem? and how were they discovered by Constantines wife (or mother?) in 325 ad? this was, presumably, the same woman who identified the BURNING BUSH in Sinai. and how were these stairs transported back to Rome? with the blood of Jesus still visible? and this blood is STILL visible after 1977 years (give or take?)? pull the other one-it’s got bells on.
love to all
tony
Dear Tony.
Shalom, and welcome to this site.
This staircase in Rome is religious fraud. I hope and pray that the Catholics will open their eyes, and find Jesus from Nazareth. Amen.
mr. diamond.
I suggest that you bone up on your history of Rome. They were a society who built buildings and ect. that even our so called brilliant people cannot figure out.today.
God Bless you mr. diamond,
There’s no doubt in my mind the stairs are a fraud, as most religious relics are, but you act like the romaan’s couldn’t have moved these steps without resorting to black magic. I assure you, they brought much larger and more awesome things to rome than some stairs. Constantine’s mother was christian, and so she would have made pilgramage to rome and brought back the stairs she thought were sacred. Finally, just because something’s not described in the “good book” doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I personally believe it doesn’t mean it DID happen. I support your statement that the stairs are fraud, but you really need to think about your supporting claims before you just throw them out there….
Dear Joe.
Shalom, and welcome to this site.
The real issue is Rome it self. Why, and when did God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob changed his mind, and moved from Jerusalem to the Vatican?
2 Kings 21:7
He took the carved Asherah pole he had made and put it in the temple, of which the LORD had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever.
1 Chronicles 23:25
For David had said, “Since the LORD, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever,
2 Chronicles 33:4
He built altars in the temple of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.”
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
Joel 3:20
Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.
The Pope and his children, has created their own religion with a “Jesus” copy in the center. Made their own temple in a pagan city, and claim that their leader is “The Holy father”.
I agree Ivarfejeld
One thing fundamentalists don’t seem to grasp is that God “in the fullness of time” sent his son. In other words, the Christian religion is essentially a historical religion, as in the Old Testament: the God of your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The fact is Jesus Christ, our Saviour entered into time — not something that many evangelicals seem to pay much cognisance to. But you see St John relishing this is 1 John 1:1. It’s as if he wants us to ‘touch’ Jesus. Rome happened to be the most powerful center in the world at that “[fullness of] time”. Jerusalem will always be “true pole of all the earth, the great King’s city” Psalm 48:3, since salvation comes from the Jews and it would not be right for a prophet to die outside of Jerusalem. But then you should read the opening chapter of Acts: The Gospel would spread out from Jerusalem, Judah, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Saul Paul made the smart decision to preach the Gospel in Rome and beyond. That his life ended there according to the early fathers and that ther is archeolgical evidence of the tomb of St Peter, it was logical for the first CHristians to build the church on that site: See Ephesians 2:20. That’s if you accept the premise that CHristianity is a historical religion.
HAVE YOU EVER CLIMBED THE HOLY STEPS??? The feeling you get while climbing them is almost breathtaking and it feels extremely holy. And prayer comes extremely easily. Even if Jesus hadn’t actually set foot on those particular steps, wouldnt the fact that thousands of Catholics have rediscovers or immensly strengthened their faith while on those very steps make it a very holy place?? The thousands of people who endured the pain, realizing that it is only a fraction of what Jesus endured for our Salvation? Think about it. Even if it is just a symbol, it is a replication of the most immense sacrifice ever made, so what arguments against it could really be legitament???????????
Dear Olivia
Shalom, and welcome to this site.
You wrote:
Even if it is just a symbol, it is a replication of the most immense sacrifice ever made, so what arguments against it could really be legitament???????????
My comment:
The truth is not a symbol. The truth is the truth. Since the story of the “Holy steps” in Rome is based on lies, it has no value for the Kingdom of God.
ivarfjeld;
The truth is not your truth. What you believe does not mean you are right or wrong. You don’t believe in Christ as the only Son of God. I respect that. But don’t try to convince me that Christ is a fraud as Jewish did more than 2000 years ago. On that time they were affraid of losing the power. How come after everything He did we still have people like you, question Him? I don’t need your answer. As I said I respect your believes and you should do the same to anyone else. Your answer will be requested when you will be in front of the Father. So, leave your life with love, justice. And caring for others. No matter what they are or believe. We are all son of one God.
God bless you.
In regards to the first comments on why the steps can not be real, you can always pick out a Protestant. They absolutely hate anything that comes from the Catholic Church. Not sure why they go to Rome at all and don’t go to Germany where their heretic is from (Martin Luther)if they are going to bash everything traditionally Catholic or Rome for that matter.
They should remember always that the scriptures are Catholic and the true faith is Catholic and until they realize their faith is based on a man (Martin Luther)and not Christ they will return to the only true faith and quit bashing everything Catholic.
Us Catholics love our traditions including our sacred steps.
Dear Walt Viola.
Shalom., and welcome to this site.
You wrote:
They should remember always that the scriptures are Catholic and the true faith is Catholic.
My reply:
This is a very common misunderstanding. The Bible is a 3.000 year old book. The scriptures was written in Hebrew and Aramaic, not Latin. The Jewish Cannon was completed 1.500 years before there was a Roman Catholic Church, with its center in pagan Rome.
The Bible was there when Jesus walked the earth. He taught from the Torah in the synagogues. The New testament is basically a confirmation of the Old Testament, where Jesus confirms the scriptures.
When the New Testament cannon was put together and closed, the Roman Catholic Church did not control the Christian World. In 325 A.D there were multiple synods in the Middle East that did not accept the Bishop of Rome as anything but a puppet for the Emperor of Rome.
Please read history.
The Roman Catholic Church captured and lead Western Christianity astray from around 500 A.D. Slowly the idol worshipers lead the whole Europe into the dark ages. But there has always been a Church of true Messianic Baptists, that rejects the falsehood of Rome. People who serve Lord Jesus of the Bible, with all their heart, soul and strength.
Ivarfjeld,
“The Jewish Cannon was completed 1.500 years before there was a Roman Catholic Church, with its center in pagan Rome.”
I’m really sorry to say this so bluntly, but this is breathtaking ignorance. At least get the millennium right if you can’t get the century.
What of in places where there are no Holly stairecases how do the people got their indulgence.
Walt,
very well said,I love my protestant friend as God wants us too.But I get tired of the hacking on my catholic faith.
Kindly, sharon wilder
Very well said Walt… All Catholics need to reply:
The keys to the Church were given to St. Peter, where the
Holy Father remains – Rome!
God Bless You!
Catherine
Catherine,
The keys to the church were never given to Peter. Jesus Christ built his church, and Peter recogonized Jesu And the “holy father” is a liar and a sinner, who need Jesus Christ to be saved.
Jesus, who knew the heart of Peter, was not saying that Peter, the movable and unstable stone, would be the immovable rock upon which the Church would be built. Rather, it would be built upon Jesus and it was this truth that Peter had affirmed what he said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” (Matt. 16:16)
It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not Catherine, it still is the truth.
If the Stair are not real, but a fraud?? Please explain this article on wikipedia!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scala_Sancta
The Scala Sancta (English: Holy Stairs, Italian: Scala Santa) are, according to the Christian tradition, the steps that led up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem, which Jesus Christ stood on during his Passion on his way to trial.[1] The stairs were, reputedly, brought to Rome by St. Helena in the 4th Century. For centuries, the Scala Santa has attracted Christian pilgrims who wished to honor the Passion of Jesus.
It consists of twenty-eight white marble steps, now encased by wooden steps, located in a building which incorporates part of the old Lateran Palace, located opposite the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. They are located next to a church which was built on ground brought from Mount Calvary. The stairs lead to the Sancta Sanctorum (English: Holy of Holies), the personal chapel of the early Popes in the Lateran palace, known as the chapel of St. Lawrence.
Dear Alister.
Shalom.
I have spammed a couple of your messages. They were very long.
I do not permit papal teaching papers to be published on this site. The comment field is meant to used as a debate field.
Please makes short comments, and follow the debate at the concerned article.
In regards to the “Holy steps” in Rome, I do not have to explain an article in Wikipedia. My article is my case to counter the falsehood invented by Rome. You are free to ask questions linked to my article.
The article in Wikipedia was most likely written by a Catholic anyway–and of course, they are going to try to put this idolatry in its best light. Just part of RCC mysticism. Mysticism appeals to religious impulses that humans are prone to have. While entertaining, they are the devil’s substitute for joy.
INVENTED!!!! Who the Hell do you think you are??? This Stair in Rome is not invent by the the Vatican or Papal falsehood you ignorant Protestant!!! Plus the fact the wikipedia is a free, web-based, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation. Its 18 million articles (over 3.6 million in English) have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world, and almost all of its articles can be edited by anyone with access to the site. Wikipedia was launched in 2001 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger and has become the largest and most popular general reference work on the Internet, ranking around seventh among all websites on Alexa and having 365 million readers. Plus you should be judging the information by its reference…..WE I have check you see if it was sound and reasonable!
Plus another fact is that a praetorium in the Roman Empire before there was Christianity had stairs to see the riegning governor of the region they rule!!!! Do your RESEARCH!!!!!!!! This is the most ANTI-CATHOLIC and unchristain blog site! I am not Catholic, but I am Eastern Orthodox which 99.9% close to Catholicism, just we don’t have a Pope!! So, am I a False follower of Christianity!
Love it! 😀
Don’t blame them fully Richard! They just sola scriptura followers!!!
In the Bible:
2 Thess 2:15: “Stand firm and hold fast to the Traditions you were taught, whether by an ORAL STATEMENT or by a letter from us.”
Phil 4:9: “Keep on doing what you have learned and received and HEARD and SEEN IN ME. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
1 Corinth 11:2: “I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the Traditions, just as I handed them on to you.”
2 Thess 3:6: “We instruct you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to shun any brother who conducts himself in a disorderly way and not according to the TRADITION they received from us.”
1 Peter 1:25: “…but the Word of the Lord REMAINS FOREVER. This is the Word that has been PROCLAIMED TO YOU (i.e., orally).”
No where in the Bible does it say Scripture ALONE or Sole Authority!! Show me where it says that compared to these scripture passages prove it!
It is Christ Jesus who is the sole authority.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
And yet Jesus passes his sole authority and command to his disciples!! Jesus is sole authority and pass on to those on earth who are his disciples and led by Peter as head of the disciples! Plus your comment still does not explain how the Bible is a sole authority since the Bible was not a book until 5th century. Before that was just word of mouth or orally passed on…..which TRADITION!! Explain that……..
Tod,
All authority is given to Messiah’s followers as the Body of Messiah–the Church wherein resides the Holy Spirit (see John 14:16-18). Jesus said that we would be given the Holy Spirit (and it is implied that through the Holy Spirit He would be with us to the end of the age–since He is not now with us in bodily form.) The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 8:9 that if one does not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, one is simply NOT a Christian–not part of the Body. It is the Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth by use of the word that He inspired. (see John 17:17) Those who are not part of the Body have no authority, in this age, to teach anything as coming from G-d. On the other hand, this authority is granted to ALL who follow the truth as presented by the Spirit of Truth (remember, He is there to guide us into all truth–John even teaches in 1 John 2:27 that we have no need of earthly teachers because we have the Holy Spirit). Do not trust what men say–go to the Scriptures yourself and search out these things! That is why we believe in Sola Scriptura and so should you.
RCC theology is so messed up and the proof of that statement is to observe the acts and the corruption of the RCC down through the centuries. Yeshua observed in Matthew 7:15-20 that we will be known as true believers by our acts.
You are not as smart as you think. Personally I find you to be an ass but thank you for the wonderful picture.
Peter,
If you’d like to leave a decent comment, respectfully disagreeing that is fine.
If you do leave a filthy comment, you will be spammed from this site.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
first of all your views are incredibly biased. The romans transported 13 giant obelisks from Egypt to Rome even before the staircase was transported, so the staircase would be a much easier task than those obelisks. Theres no way to prove that the blood stains are/are not Jesus, thus called FAITH. I’ve climbed these steps and have had an unexplainable experience. Even if Jesus wasn’t previously on these steps, every single pope since they were in place has climbed these so it would be considered a very Holy place nevertheless. In my opinion, they should DNA test the blood on the stairs with the Shroud of Turin (which was recently said to be only blood and sweat – dozens of scientists have researched and there is no paint).
In God we trust
Remains a hollow dictum
Unless we believe
God is just
Trusting fully in doing what is just
May we only claim in God we trust.
Well if the angels took it to Rome, it is as bad as the night flight of mohammed from Yahrushalayim.
What a load of hogwash!
Give me YHVH God’s Word/Torah any time.
Thanks for the insight, Ivar, someone who really knows where the Truth is.
More RCC mumbo jumbo. One catholic woman wanted to pay for my sister who has cancer to go on a pilgrimage to Rome & crawl up the stairs & Majigory so she could get healed. Praise Yah she saw the tricks of trying to get people into the bondage of this through promises of healing & if no healing then a passage out of purgatory.
What a very sad scenario these graphic pictures show.
I like my logo, Black & white that’s me, no grey area’s.
Marianne,
you might open your mind and do a little research about pilgrimages. You might be surprised to find that pilgrimages are actually mentioned both in the Old Testament and the New. You might also be surprised, if you read your bible carefully and COMPLETELY, which evangelicals don’t actually do, that lots of things you call mumbo jumbo are actually found in Scripture.
With you, it seems, a little prejudice is a dangerous thing.
Pois também eu te digo que tu és Pedro, e sobre esta pedra edificarei a minha igreja, e as portas do inferno não prevalecerão contra ela;
E eu te darei as chaves do reino dos céus; e tudo o que ligares na terra será ligado nos céus, e tudo o que desligares na terra será desligado nos céus.
Mateus 16:18
Pedro assim se tornou o primeiro papa da igreja catolica.
Bem,sua irmã poderia também fazer uma peregrinaçao a Lurdes na França,beber da fonte milagrosa.
Dear Silvio
Shalom.
You wrote:
Well, your sister could also make a pilgrimage to Lourdes in France, the miraculous fountain drink.
My comment:
I will have to spam you, if you continue to write in Portuguese. This is a site where English has to be used. I would like to communicate with you in English.
Ivar, you said, “This staircase in Rome is religious fraud.” How do you know this? I’ve read all of your aforementioned responses, so please give some substance to your response. I’d really like to research the topic of the stairs.
People, people, people…please wake up and see the horrible idolatry this staircase represents. Why do you think that Hezekiah was commended for destroying (see 2 Kings 18:1-6) the bronze snake that Moses had made?(see Numbers 21:4-9 for the story of why Moses made it). Jesus Himself (in John 3:14) refers to the bronze snake as a type (or SYMBOL) of His Crucifixion for the healing of sinners unto eternal life. IT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE WORSHIPED AS HAVING ANY POWER IN ITSELF. WE ARE TO WORSHIP GOD ALONE! The Israelites by Hezekiah’s day were worshiping the bronze snake. If this staircase is indeed producing mystical heebie-jeebies then you can be sure it is NOT of G-d. We are not to worship ANY created thing. That is what Yeshua Himself says during His temptation by Satan.
People don’t go to the stairs to worship and praise the stairs. They go to worship and praise the Lord alone. Have you walked up the stairs? Have you experienced it? People aren’t saying that black magic happens and you’re suddenly healed from everything. It’s a faith-based journey. Just like Christianity. It does NOT matter if you are Catholic or Protestant. Our religion is based on Faith. Which really bothers me about people calling these stairs a fraud. If you believe in a Faith based religion where there is no way to scientifically prove if there is or is not a God, then why are so many trying to scientifically prove if these stairs are fraudulent or not. They are just another sector of Faith. I’m Protestant, and I crawled up each step and said each prayer and believed each prayer and have faith in God alone. Your experience on that journey has nothing to do with what Catholics or Protestants as a whole believe but what you believe. If people try so hard to discredit the Catholic and Protestant religions, then who is Christian in that matter? Just because you praise and glorify the God Almighty in different ways, traditions, and sayings makes you no more or less of a Christian. It is what you as an individual believe and have faith in. There are just as many corrupt protestants as there are corrupt Catholics. God is the only judge in this matter. Not you.
SJ,
We should need no props to “worship the Lord alone”. I pointed out to you a genuine item (the bronze snake) that Hezekiah destroyed because the people were “venerating” it (read worshiping it). God IS the judge and He has given us His word to “straighten us out”. (see 2 Timothy 3:16) The Hebraic and early Christian mindset would be that these stairs represent rank idolatry.
Your words sound like the voice of reason. Thank you, SJ.
Well put! The earth and all that is within it shall become dust. Faith is forever. Let us as human beings do what we can to honor the earth for as long as we can,and the best way that we can, the universe,and praise God,helping each other in the process. I do not know what I am until the Judgement. Share our resources,and ask not what religion it goes to. We are all Children of G-D!
Praise God, for your faith-filled insights!
Ellen, I agree with you, I worship Jesus, his teachings and sacrifice. I worship god. I believe giving relics and things of this earth any holy power or honor is idolatry, and the desire of such is tied to our pagan past. Faith does not require physical proof, physical proof has no value in the lessons that Jesus teaches. He shunned “things”, riches, and these things are used by their owners to try to create power over others. Raised catholic, I was sickened by the enormous wealth I observed when I visited the Vatican. I have connected more with God and Jesus more in poor churches, praying with others over a hospital bed and meeting in groups as the early Christians did discussing his teachings. The Vatican reeks of power and control.
Who said anything about idolizing? I’d just like to know why their authenticity is questioned. A lot of middle east artifacts have made their way out of Egypt and into Rome.
Hi Arthur,
What does it matter if they are authentic or not??? (The bronze snake that Hezekiah destroyed was surely authentic.) It is still idolatry to ascribe spiritual power to them–remember, Catholics say that climbing them is supposed to knock off time in purgatory? Purgatory is itself a totally un-Biblical concept that is a construct of the RCC (and one strongly suspects that it was made up in order to sell indulgences). The notion that we must work off sin in purgatory (or have our relatives buy our way out of it by buying an indulgence) totally undercuts the teaching of the free gift of salvation. Purgatory is a doctrine of demons.
One last note for those who deride us for our position of Sola Scriptura. Sola Scriptura is only one of the firm stands of the Reformation. The others were Sola Gratia (by grace alone) Sola fide (through faith alone) Solo Christo (in Christ alone) Sola Scriptura (by the teachings of Scripture alone) Soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone). Please don’t follow the traditions and teachings of men that stand against the word of G-d. Be good Bereans and search the Scriptures for yourself–you’ll be glad you did. 🙂
Well, being Catholic since birth I’ve learned there are quite a few folks out there who do not share the same interpretation of scripture as Catholics do. However, what I find quite amusing is how this guy Ivar can create this website, populate it with a bunch of nonsense for people like Ellen to get riled over. All he has managed to do is spread a bunch of lies, I bet he’s never even been to this place.
Hi Arthur,
I don’t remember getting “riled” with Ivar over anything?
Arthur, you said: “Well, being Catholic since birth…” You were Catholic before you came to faith in Christ? How can this be since the Bible teaches “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”? (Romans 10:17) A newborn baby has no understanding of language. Are you saying that you can be part of the Catholic church without faith? The Bible clearly teaches that faith is the basis for salvation.
Arthur.
Shalom.
Do you have to go to Paris to know it exists?
What makes you think they’re in Paris? We are talking about the The Scala Santa, or Holy Staircase, Rome?
I know that. Point being you don’t have to be in a location to know it exists
Mea culpa. I don’t doubt the existence, or the significance of the stairs for that matter. Seems like the original intent of this site was to simply provide an avenue for those wishing to spread lies about Catholics.
I’m an ex-catholic Arthur. What lies do you speak of?
One thing I can’t understand, forget about the stairs they are only stairs- where does it say any where in scripture that an ordinary man ( the pope) has the right or authority to decide about the after life, nowhere! Only one person will judges us all and that is the LORD Jesus!
Dear Sharon and Walt.
What is a saint? According to scripture every believer is a saint. Not a dead person that performs miracles.
Sharon, why do you feel you need to climb the stairs on your knees?
Perhaps the RCC could purchase the Via Dolorosa from the Israelis? The Israelis would probably sell it for $10 billion or so. 🙂
But the Vatican would have to make a determination of whether they would make their money back on the donations of pilgrims.
Your hatred of Catholics is obvious.
You know guys, to each his own. People believe what they want to believe and who really knows who or what is right anyway? It comes down to respecting each other beliefs which may not be the same as yours, and the world will be a better place.
Elle,
Actually it basically comes down to this:
John 8:24 – “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I AM He, you will die in your sins.”
Such a powerful verses to say what Jesus is. He died for my sins and yours Elle, and to believe that “other beliefs” would make the world a better place if we respect them is a lie.
A world without Jesus is doomed. A sinner without Jesus is doomed. Pick up the Word of God. It is the truth from beginning to end, and it goes for all sinners alike, if you do not accept Jesus, do not accept he died for your sins, do not accept that he is HE, then you are simply doomed. It is with love that Christians say this, because an eternal hell is a horrible place.
Isaiah 43:10,11 – “You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior.”
Nonsense, the only Roman Saviour whom gave his Blood and existed was “Gaius Julius Caesar”, the Stairways most likely refer to the Blood of Julius Caesar, not his fictional alter-ego Jesus Christ.
It’s no use to try and change the opinions of non-believers. The only thing left to do is pray for them and I will.
I discovered this site about an hour ago. I have been reading over the articles that expose the false worship of relics, unsubstantiated relics. I have read name calling such as ” you’re an ass.” You’re a heretic Protestant, catholic…etc. There is enough ignorance to go around whether Protestant, Catholic, Jewish or what ever here. I am not Jewish, but my Lord and Risen Savior Jesus Christ is Jewish. I am not Catholic. I do not pray to Mary. When the Angel told her that she would give birth to the Son of God through the power and overshadowing of the Holy Spirit she said, My soul does magnify THE LORD and I rejoice in God MY SAVIOR. While Mary was a godly young woman and wow what an honor for her to be the temporal mother of Jesus Christ, she was like us, she confessed that God was her Savior. When I pray I can some boldly before the throne of Mercy to find grace in the time of need. I don’t have to count some beads when I pray as Catholics, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhist do. When I need daily forgiveness I do not get into a confessional booth and confess my sins to a man on the other side that is a sinner too. There is only one mediator between God and Man, the man Christ Jesus. When God blesses me there is no need to sprinkle “holy water” what ever that is upon me, nor swing incense over me. Jesus said that he (or she) whom the Son sets free is free indeed! I am free from the ceremonial law. Jesus Christ said, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me. Did he lie? Gods gift of salvation is glorious and wonderful. It is also simple. Jesus did the hard part. We by faith trust in His finished work on the cross, in the grave and when He rose again he concurred death, hell and the grave. God could have provided many paths to Him. But he decided to keep it simple. One way, One Path, Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son. No, I am not Protestant either. I personally believe Martin Luther was a heretic. He retained the false belief that babies must be baptized. That is no where in scripture. He taught that salvation was in the sacraments. That is not what Jesus said. Martin Luther hated Jews and believed they should be persecuted and their personal property confiscated. He like John Calvin retained their hatred for the Pope and yet kept false teaching on how one could receive forgiveness of sins. John Calvin, the Church of England and Rome burned, drowned, tortured in the most ungodly of ways, men, women .children,. They were beheaded, boiled, flayed alive. For what? These believers in Christ, the Baptists/Anabaptists didn’t have their babies baptized. That was their crime. Jesus Christ never told his followers to persecute or kill any one. Rather He said that his believers would be persecuted and killed. I am first and foremost a blood bought, Daughter of the Most High God whose name is as He told Moses, I AM THAT I AM. He is my God, he is my King. He is my savior. I did NOTHING to earn or deserve salvation. But when in the Word of God I read that Jesus died and arose again for me, I figured I could take God at His word. After that, I am a Baptist by denomination. But I am not a Baptists that believes only Baptists will be in heaven. Any one who will received Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation by faith…they too will live one day with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lord! My Savior wants to be your Savior too. He offers you this gift…Peace to you, His peace.
(It would be great if there was no more name calling here.)
Well said Rose! Anyone who does not have the Holy Spirit within them are essentially the living dead, where they are alive physically, but their soul is dead which leads to a one way path to hell for eternity.
Accept Jesus Christ as their savior, read the scriptures and learn to understand them and live their life to become a servant for Jesus Christ. In Jesus name, pray and give praise to God everyday, repent and ask for His forgiveness of sin, and ask for His guidance to become a better Christian for Jesus Christ.
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Its a set of stairs, thats all, whether Jesus walked up them or not its still just a set of stairs ! Follow Jesus not stairs or silly relics.
However, bible-believing Christians should understand that the Roman Catholic Church follows what is called the Magisterium. This is the interpretation of Scripture through a man-made lens (made up of the Pope and former popes when they speak/spoke Ex Cathedra – from the “chair” infallibly – and the teachings of Bishops through the years including all the councils and tradition). This means that Roman Catholics practicing their faith as prescribed by Rome cannot go to the Bible via the Holy Spirit to directly hear and understand God’s Word, but they must allow the “Magisterium” to interpret it for them. This helps to explain the plethora of false teachings that Rome continues to propagate and why she cannot change them without completely dismantling the entire religion. This is all outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. A few articles are contained in this alert that show many false teachings contrary to Scripture such as worship of the wafer and transubstantiation, Mary worship and Contemplative spirituality are alive and well in the Roman Church.
s role, before we can begin to elaborate upon the concept
of God. It is for this reason that we will consider it separately, apart from
the general view of religion, giving it a category of
its own. It is said that orange light in the room of the dying helps the awareness-principle to maintain consciousness so that it would
not miss the Clear Light of the first stage of the bardo.
I am not a “dumb” follower as you put it. Please re read John chapter 6 in sincere humility. Also, when Jesus said at the last supper: “do this in memory of me…” he wasn’t saying it for nothing, then or now.
If people want to honor a relic, who is to judge?
Pax Domini
More heresy and apostasy from the RCC, and sadly many Protestants fall for the same kinds of lies and deception. Come Lord Yeshua, come.
So just because it’s not in the bible, that automatically seems it as not true, or didn’t happen? What happen to your faith!!?? There are so many things that took place with and around Jesus that is not recorded, they were to intimate. Our human minds can’t possibly comprehend things like Jesus can. Besides anything is possible with God.
There are 28 steps. I was there. And the plenary indulgence is 7 years, not nine. Proof positive you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Naysayers everywhere, keep in mind that people worship God in their own way. and there’s over 7 billion of us. If respecting, believing, and using the Holy Steps brings one person closer to God, brings one person peace, let them do it. I myself don’t particularly believe * 7 – 9 * years plenary indulgence, for what is time to God?
We don’t know how long is a year in His eyes. But I do believe that there are a lot of things that enrich our lives, make us better people, I believe those who see the Stairs as something sacred and venerable, they should be totally free to feel that way.
Our trip to Italy was amazing, especially Rome. Here in the US, our country just over 2 centuries old, don’t grasp the reality of excavated lands bearing artifacts that have been there Two-Thousand years. If you get to Rome, tour the San Calista catacombs, you’ll see what I mean.
Thanks
GranmaMayr
I find it rather sad that people cannot leave others to their beliefs. I have climbed the steps on my knees. I did not feel that heaven is nearer but I did feel the history and shared the peace of those around me for the time I was there, escaping the stresses of the outside world for a short while. For people like Ellen who cannot hide her hatred of Catholics, you only show up that the teachings that you learned were hatred. I do not particularly believe in the power of the Dome or the Golden Gate in Jerusalem but I respect those who do. If it gives people comfort why condemn it. If earthly creations are of no consequence to Protestants, and all that matters is you and God then why are all the Cathedrals in England so important to you?
And why are a flight of steps in Rome so offensive?
It amazes me that so many people who want nothing to do with anything Catholic spend so much time criticising everything to do with it. The fact is the Steps, Golden Gate, The Dome and many other symbols of faith give comfort to many people who are not a threat to anyone. The world has many evil people but the ones climbing the steps are not them. Nobody is forcing you to believe in it. Leave peaceful people to do what they enjoy. I have done the steps and although my faith is not as strong as some it was an unforgettable experience. Protestants criticise all earthly creations but put so much importance in their cathedrals.
Maybe Roman Catholics who are offended by those of us who speak about the lies of the RCC should do some research into the RCC system of worship. They would learn that much of it was copied from the ancient Babylonian worship system and that the RCC is as responsible for the murder of innocent people as Islam and Nazism was. And Protestantism has plenty of blood on their hands as well. I am not defending Islam or Nazism, both are/ were evil and responsible for atrocities few could imagine.
YHVH and Yeshua weren’t about religion but personal relationships with His created children and that’s what is most important for all to realize.
God has one way He wants you to approach Him and that can be found in Torah and was expounded upon by Yeshua when He walked among us (approx.) 1985 years ago. Read your Bible and leave the priests, pastors, reverends, doctors. of theology, etc. out of it. Ruach haKodesh will walk you through it if you are sincere in your quest for Truth.
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I think its pidgeon poo on them steps
What idiocy I find in this blasphemous article debunking the Holy Stairs!
On a recent pilgrimage to Rome I climbed the stairs in prayer. Unknown to me at the time as I didn’t catch the part about Jesus descending the stairs in His Passion.
But, I climbed in honest faith my prayers were heard on each step by the Holy Trinity!
On my free time I went back and did it again because I felt called to climb once more. To PRAY!
I have several autoimmune diseases which made it very difficult for me, yet, climb again I did.
Upon returning home, I have returned to thought of those stairs many times. This past week I googled it to make a long distant visit. This is when I learned of the history behind the stairs. I KNEW then I was called to return and climb them the second time BY JESUS!
I don’t know if the author of this narrative has a faith in which they have places that bring them closer to the god of their understanding. I hope they do.
However they believe I will respect, but don’t tout disrespect without proof.
Maybe it isn’t the stairs of Christ, but it is the Faith IN Christ that I climbed both times.
That’s what led me back to climb again. A very precious way to pray in a difficult way.
To pray in faith is what my God asks of me. When, where, and why, is important to Christians.
The stairs brought me a deeper understanding of faith during prayer and they really did when I found the history of them.
I pray for the author and naysayers here.
I pray you find faith instead of your need to debunk what is precious to others.
I ask God to touch and soften your heart and bless each of you in a very special way.
Well, first off, I had never heard of said stairs before reading this, but maybe that’s because I wasn’t raised Catholic… Boy, the Catholics sure love their dogma, don’t they? So, let me get this straight, they climb these stairs, on their knees, (a public display of piety?) and in return they receive nine years off their “sentence” in a place called Purgatory… (Purgatory – great Iron Maiden tune! \m/) …Granted to them by a pope… A man… Another human being, no better than any other human being. Hmmm… And Muslims get 72 virgins if they martyr themselves, which does not mean blowing themselves up in order to kill a bunch of innocents, though some have twisted their interpretation to such meaning. Uh – huh. And I have a bridge to sell you, it’s located in fuckin Brooklyn. ………Now, the stairs were somehow magically transported whole and undamaged by demolition from Jerusalem to Rome by Constantine’s mother? Constantine, the Roman scum who, according to legend, saw a symbol in the sky and heard the words, “By this sign you shall conquer.” (Not “By this sign you shall save humanity from hellfire.”) And then proceeded to embrace and pervert one sect of Christianity into the church of Rome. But Rome fell, as all oppressive and haughty civilizations eventually do, (Take note of this, my fellow Americans!) but its influence over society as a whole remains, in the form of Constantine’s oppressive, sadistic church. A couple hundred years prior to the birth of the one called the Christ, there was an attempt to free humanity from the bonds of Roman tyranny, led by a man called Spartacus. Some of his brothers in arms were crucified by Roman scum, yet there is no religion based upon Oenomaus, Gannicus, Crixus, or Spartacus. Ever wonder why that is? I mean, they actually led an armed revolt against tyranny, they were true heroes, true champions of the underdog, yet nobody ever thought to base a religion around them. Maybe because religion and regulation come from the same root word, and the fact that religions are just another means of controlling the masses thru fear, thus enabling the tyrants to remain in power. There were rich, powerful scum manipulating society back then, and there are still rich, powerful scum manipulating society today. Not that much has changed, aside from semantics. I know my rant has not much to do with a staircase supposedly stained with divine blood, but one must observe the bigger picture. Humanity remains enslaved by tyranny, and a mass revolution is long overdue. Where is our champion to lead us in glorious battle to kill the king? I would see the illuminati permanently toppled, their heads set upon pikes, and the ground stained with their blood. Who would stand with me?
I climbed them last week having been brought up a catholic but am pretty much lapsed. There is little evidence of the origin of the steps but the Romans definitely had the ability to transport them, just check out the Egyptian obelisk in the nearby basilica of Dan Giovanni. For me this was an interesting experience and a time to think about life etc. Whether they are truly “holy” of not doesn’t particularly concern me. I did feel a connection to my upbringing but a word of caution, do this late in the day and not at the start like I did as it’s pretty hard on the old knees and I certainly felt the pain for a couple of hours afterwards walking around Rome. Certainly an experience I won’t forget.
Are there holly staires all around the world?
I feel not educated enough, I do have faith enough to know what idolatry is and that it’s alway been wrong, sinful, and not following our accepted “word”, the Bible. How can it be Christian then, Jesus didn’t say follow a pope, an intererpter for his “word”, kiss, pray, pay to heaven or reduced rate to “purgatory”… why are followers of Christ following the world? Humm…
There is enough in scripture that quite clearly says that we should not bow down to these images [see exodus 20:4 or levicitcus26:1] no body knows the face of Christ or Mary, many of these depictions are clearly wrong,
Maybe these stairs are from Pilate or maybe not who really knows, incidentally and I am not a catholic but I did visit these stairs and go up them on my knees. I am a believer in Christ Jesus but not all the nonsense that surrounds him. We know so much of the doctrine is man made [ i.e Christmas] and so much hurt , shedding of blood and pain has been made in his name quite clearly wrong. Love the lord God with all your heart, soul and love another has I have loved you two simple commandments he left, No old nonsense of any of the above that my brothers and sisters is what is wrong with the religion of today tainted to the core and the priests, vicars,
Our Faith is under attack from all angles now is the time to unite not divide, but this is all prophesised in the end times and believe me these are those, so much squabbling between ourselves I pray for you all that is the true religion.