Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura
From Churches of Rome Wiki
| Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura | |
|---|---|
 Exterior in 1911 | |
| English name: | St Agnes Outside the Walls |
| Dedication: | Agnes |
| Denomination: | Roman Catholic |
| Type: | Parish church, titular church |
| Titular church | Camillo Ruini |
| National church: | No |
| Built: | 342, later rebuilt |
| Architect(s): | |
| Artists: | |
| Contact data | |
| Address: | Via Nomentana 364 (main entrance at Via S Agnese 315) 00162 Roma |
| Phone: | 06 86 10 840 / 06 86 20 54 56 |
| Fax: | 06 86 10 840 / 06 86 20 54 56 (manual) |
| Homepage: | www.santagnese.org/ |
Sant' Agnese fuori le mura is a church dedicated to the martyr St Agnes.
The entrance to the Catacombe di Sant'Agnese is in the church.
Contents |
[edit] History
According to the Liber Pontificalis[1], the first basilica dedicated to St Agnes was founded at the site of her grave by emperor Constantine's daughter Constantia in 342. The foundation was attested in an inscription, which is now lost. Like San Lorenzo fuori le Mura it was built partly in the side of the hill and partly out in the open.
In the 7th century, under pope Honorius I (625–638), a new church was built at a nearby site.
Pope Hadrian I (772–795) restored the church, and it has since been restored several times. One of the most comprehensive restorations was ordered by Giuliano della Rovere. The last major work done on the church was under Pope St Pius IX (1846–1878).
It is listed in the Catalogue of Turin, c. 1320, as having 40 religious sisters.
Sant'Agnese has been a titular church since October 1654, when Baccio Aldobrandini became the first titular priest. The present titular priest is Camillo Ruini.
In 1708 it was made a parish church by Pope Clement XI, and responsibility for the parish was given to the Canons Regular of San Giovanni in Laterano. They still serve the parish.
[edit] Exterior
You approach the forecourt through a 16th century portico followed by marble steps from 1590. Notice that you walk down the stairs - the church was built at catacomb level. You can see fragments if inscriptions and sculpture from the catacomb, including part of the first shrine of St Agnes. In 1603, soil was removed from around the church, allowing freestanding chapels to be built.
There are remains in the garden of a great cemeterial basilica built by Constantine. It may not have been a church, but rather a covered cemetery. The only part that is well preserved is the mausoleum of Costanza, Constantine's daugther. The circular building has a well preserved 4th century mosaic. Her porphyry sarcophagus has been moved to the Vatican Museums, and a copy stands here.
[edit] Interior
The church has a nave and two aisles, on a basilical plan. The wooden coffered ceiling, from 1606, is richly decorated.
The columns in the nave are of precious marble; the four by the choir in the rare Portasanta, the two next of pavonazetto and the last eight of breccia from Serravezza.
The lower part of the apse is covered in marble and porphyry. The Byzantine-style mosaic in the upper part is from c. 625, and depicts St Agnes being given the crown of martyrdom from the hand of God. She is dressed as an Augusta, a Byzantine empress - according to legend she appeared like this eight days after her death, holding a white lamb. She is flanked by Pope Honorius, holding a model of the church, and Pope St Symmachus.
The Baroque canopy at the high altar is from 1614, and the statue of St Agnes is also from the 17th century. You must ask if you wish to be admitted to St Agnes' tomb beneath the high altar. She rests with her 'milk-sister' Emerentiana, the daughter of her wet-nurse.
The episcopal throne behind the high altar is ancient.
The church has a gallery, which was either built for the use of women in the Eastern tradition, or to provide an entrance from a higher level since the church was built against the side of a hill.
[edit] Liturgy
On 21 April, the feast day of Agnes, lambs are blessed here. They are then taken to the Benedictine nuns of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, who care for them and cut their wool when a new pallium is needed. If you wish to attend the ceremony, it is best to apply for a reserved place.
The feast of St Emerentiana is celebrated on 23 January.
[edit] References
- ↑ Liber Pontificalis, XXIII, Sylvester, ch. 23
