Church building and ecclesiastical dignity
A basilica is a church granted a particular dignity because of its history, pastoral importance, or relationship to ecclesiastical authority. The word originally described a Roman public building; Christians adopted the architectural form for worship, and over time the term also became an honorific designation for distinguished churches.
Within the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, Patriarchal Basilicas are churches directly associated with the Holy Apostolic See and its liturgical and pastoral life. Clergy appointed to a Patriarchal Major Basilica are Canons of the Patriarchal Chapter, while its Archpriest ranks as a Dean ad honorem of the Chapter. Churches around the world may also be designated as Patriarchal Minor Basilicas. A basilica remains a place of worship first: its dignity expresses service to the faithful rather than merely architectural rank.