The two basilicas of the apostles were held in great veneration from the earliest times. The priest Caius, declared against the heretics: “I can show you the trophies of the Apostles; for if you will go to the Vatican on the Ostian way you will find the trophies of those who founded this Church.” Acceding to the request of Pope Sylvester, Constantine undertook to make the sanctuaries at the tombs of theses apostles correspond externally with their importance in the eyes of the whole Christian world. He erected the ancient Basilica of St. Peter on the Vatican and that of St. Paul outside the walls. On November 9, the Dedication of the Basilica of the Saviour at Rome; on November 18 that of the Basilicas of the Apostles is celebrated.
