Sant'Alessandro
From Churches of Rome Wiki
| Sant'Alessandro | |
|---|---|
| | |
| English name: | St Alexander |
| Dedication: | Alexander of Bergamo |
| Denomination: | Roman Catholic |
| Type: | Parish church |
| Clergy: | Diocesan |
| Titular church | No |
| National church: | No |
| Built: | 5th century, rebuilt 19th century |
| Architect(s): | |
| Artists: | |
| Contact data | |
| Address: | 1291 Via Nomentano 00137 Roma |
| Phone: | |
Sant'Alessandro is a church dedicated to the 3rd century martyr Alexander of Bergamo.
[edit] History
In 1854, the Congragation for the Propagation of Faith (Propaganda Fide) initiated excavations by the Via Nomentana. There was an early Christian basilica and a cemetery on the site, and as a the cemetery had many inscriptions and paintings that attested to the faith of the first Christians in Rome, the finds were very useful to the Church.
The church was built in the 5th century, and was restored after the excavations.
It became a parochial church in 1928, and was entrusted to the Fathers of Giuseppe del Murialdo. Since 1982, it has been served by diocesan clergy.
[edit] Interior
In the nave you can see traces of the ancient basilica.
To one side is an altar, under which is the tomb of the 3nd century martyrs Eventius and Alexander. An inscription found during the excavation mentions the martyrs Eventius and Theodore / Theodolus, but the identificiation remains difficult. An insciption by the altar commemorates the restoration of the tomb in the 5th century by Bishop Urso.
The are many sepulchral inscriptions in the floor.
Another martyr's tomb can be found to the left of the basilica, in a small crypt with a mosaic floor .
[edit] Liturgy
The feast of St Alexander is celebrated on 26 August.
