Sant'Eustachio in Campo Marzio
English name:	St Eustace
Latin name:	Sancti Eustachii
Dedication:	St Eustace
Denomination:	Roman Catholic
Type:	Titular church
Titular church	Cardinal Ricard
Built:	8th cent., rebuilt in 17 and 18th cent.
Consecrated:	1734
Artists:	Nicola Salvi, Ferdinando Fuga
Contact data
Address:	Piazza Sant'Eustachio 19 00186 Rome
Phone:	06 68 65 334

Sant'Eustachio is a church dedicated to the Roman martyr St Eustace. Pictures of the church at Wikimedia Commons. [1]

Contents 1 Location 2 History 3 Legend of St Eustace 4 Architectural and Artistic Interventions

LocationEdit

Sant Eustachio is located in rioni St Eustachio.

Many famous monuments surround Sant Eustachio. In front of the Church of St Eustachio, is the Piazza di S.Eustachio. The monuments surrounding this piazza are Cupola di S.Luca architettura del Borromini, Palazzo Cenci and Collegio della Sapienza. Furthermore, the Pantheon is 200 meters away.

HistoryEdit

The church was established in the 8th century, or possibly earlier. It was founded as a deaconate, a centre for helping the poor. Its early history is largely unknown. However, according to tradition, the church was founded on the site of the house of Saint Eustace and his martyrdom. St Eustace was noble Roman who converted to Christianity.

The stag with a cross between its horns became the symbol of St.Eustace and rionoi S.Eustachio. It was restored in the 12th century.

In the 16th century, St Philip Neri used to pray here.

In 1734, it was consecrated.

It was almost completely rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries by four architects C.Covara and A.Canevari

The deaconry was established around the year 600. Among its titulars were the popes Gregory IX, Alexander IV, Antipope John XXIII, Pius III and Paul III. The current titular deacon of the church is H.E. Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, who was appointed on February 21, 2001.

Legend of St EustaceEdit

St Eustace, prior to his conversion to Christianity, was a Roman General named Placidus During his time as a general, he fought for Emperor Trajan.

The Legend of general Placidus’ conversion to Christianity is as follows. It is believed that St Eustace saw a deer with a cross on its head during a hunt. Later that night, he received a prophecy that he would suffer for Christ. Following this prophecy, he was baptized, and consequently denounced as a Christian and was reduced to abject poverty. Placidus, now Eustice, was called up for military duty once again, as he was still a capable general and successfully defeated the barbarians. Eustace, upon his return was ordered to sacrifice to idols in thanks for the military victory, which he rejected. Hadrian, the emperor at the time, ordered him to be thrown to the lions. However, the ferocious lions, at the sight of St Eustace, turned as docile as cats. Ultimately, Eustace was martyred together with his family by being burned in a bronze bull.

Architectural and Artistic InterventionsEdit

Although the building was built during Medieval Rome, due to its reconstruction, it has a baroque facade. The Church's bell tower is all that remains of the original early medieval church. Cesare Corvara built the general facade of the church.

Circa 1724, Antonia Canervari was hired to design the interior, whilst artist Giacomo Zoboli was hired to paint the Transepts. Nicola Salvi designed the high alter of S.Eustachio and Ferdinano Fuga designed the balacchino above it in 1746.

Many charitable confraternities chose St Eustace as their patron in the Middle Ages, and dedicated chapels in the church.

Relics of St Eustace are venerated in the church.