Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.
Saints Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla, and Pancras.
Martyrs.
Feast Day 12 May.
Semi-Double.
Red Vestments.
Saint Domitilla, with Saints Nereus and Achilleus.
Artist: Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640).
Date: 1608.
Current location: Santa Maria-in-Vallicella, Rome.
(Wikimedia Commons)
These Saints, having inspired Domitilla with the resolution to consecrate her Virginity to God, Aurelianus, her betrothed, accused them, all three, of being Christians. Out of hatred for Christ, they were put to death under the Emperor Trajan, at Terracina, about 100 A.D.
Their bodies rest in Rome in the Church of Saints Nereus and Achilleus. This Church was a Station on The Monday in Holy Week, but the bad state of the building caused The Station to be transferred to Saint Praxedes's in the 13th-Century. Saints Nereus and Achilleus Church was restored in the 16th-Century.
Saint Pancras was arrested in Rome at the age of fourteen and put to death towards 275 A.D., under Emperor Diocletian, for having refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods. His constancy earned him a place among The Saints, whose joy he shares (Epistle, Communion).
Mass: Ecce oculi.
No doubt Zephyrinus and others reading this post know of the ancient church of SS.Nereus & Achilles near the Baths of Caracalla; it is another often overlooked ancient Roman gem of a sanctuary dedicated to these two martyrs, some ancient traditions say soldiers, other servants of the Catholic convert Flavia Domitilla, all martyred about 100AD.
ReplyDeleteBut additionally the next time Zephyrinus is in Rome, or any others, this commenter highly recommends visiting the equally overlooked Catacombs of Domitilla, where Christians were buried from very early on (est. 100-500 AD). This ancient catacomb network is on land at one time belonging to Domitilla and has always been maintained as very sacred, very antique, and contains an underground “basilica”, now restored, to Nereus & Achilleus, as well as wall frescoes and sarcophagi from the very early period. Whereas most of the tour buses usually visit (flood?) the more well-known Catacombs of S. Sebastian, those of Domitilla are usually less visited and less well-published. At “Domitilla” one has a less-hurried and less-interrupted moment to stop and pray and connect across the centuries in peace with these holy patrons. -Dante P
A most interesting and useful Comment, Dante P. I am most grateful.
ReplyDeleteWhen next in Rome, I will certainly follow your sage advice. Mille Grazie !!!