| THE CRYPT OF SAINT CECILIA
Along the left wall is a great niche where
was placed the sarcophagus containing the body of St. Cecilia. It remained
there until the year 821, when pope Paschal I had her remains transferred
to Trastevere, in the basilica dedicated to the Saint.

The Statue
is a copy of the famous work by Stefano Maderno (1566-1636), carried out
in 1599, when there took place the recognition of her relics. The body was
found in the position represented by the sculptor.
He brought out the cut of the sword on her neck and the
position of her fingers: three fingers open on the right hand and one on
the left. According to tradition, the saint wished to show her faith in
the Trinity and in the Unity of God.
The crypt was covered with mosaics and frescoes, which eventually wore
away. Of the last ones there remain some figures. On the left wall near
the statue there are two pictures in Byzantine style, which date to the
end of the 8th C. and the beginning of the 9th. In the small niche below
there is the image of Christ "pantocrątor" (omnipotent)
holding a Gospel. Above the niche there is the figure of St. Cecilia as an
"Orante". Below, to the right, is the figure of St. Urban I,
pope and martyr, united in the martyr's Passio. On the wall we can see a cross between two lambs and the three martyrs
Polycamus, Sebastian and Quirinus.
Some inscriptions are preserved in the crypt. The most important one
refers to a certain Septimius Fronton of senatorial rank. It is written in
Greek and dates back to the end of the 3rd century. It reads:
"I, Septimius Fronton, Pretextatus Licinianus
servant of God, repose here .
I shall have no regret for having lived an honest life.
I will serve you also in heaven ( o Lord)
and will praise your Name (for ever).
I gave back my soul to God at the age of 33 years and 6 months".
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