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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