The Basilica was first built on the Equiline Hill, Rome during the Pontificate of Pope Liberius (352-366) and called it the Liberian Basilica. Pope Celestine I (422-432) rebuilt the Basilica and Pope Sixtus (432-440) rededicated it in honour of the Holy Mother of God on the 5th of August 434 in response to the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431) which had proclaimed Mary, as Mother of God. It is the oldest church in the West dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is known as Santa Maria Maggiore, St Mary Major.
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