The Early Christians in Rome

PART II

Chapter 10176 wordsPublic domain

TWO EXAMPLES OF RECENT DISCOVERIES

I

THE CRYPT OF S. CECILIA

The old story of the famous Saint no longer a mere legend--Reconstruction of S. Cecilia’s life--The crypt is described--Her basilica in the Trastevere quarter--once S. Cecilia’s house 289

II

REMOVAL OF S. CECILIA TO HER BASILICA

Discovery of remains of S. Cecilia by Paschal I., A.D. 821--Appearance of the body, which he translated from the crypt in the catacomb of Callistus to her basilica--Her tomb in the basilica opened in A.D. 1599 by Clement VIII.--Appearance of the body--Maderno copied it in marble--How De Rossi discovered and identified in the original catacomb the crypt of S. Cecilia 292

III

THE TOMB OF S. FELICITAS, AND OF HER SONS

Discovery and identification of the burial-places of S. Felicitas, of S. Januarius, and of her other sons--Reconstruction of her story--Tomb of S. Januarius found in cemetery of Prætextatus on the Via Appia--Original tomb of S. Felicitas found in the cemetery bearing her name (Via Salaria Nova)--Identification of the burial-places of her other sons 298