Santa Maria in Cosmedin
From Churches of Rome Wiki
| Santa Maria in Cosmedin | |
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| English name: | Our Lady "in Beauty" |
| Dedication: | Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Denomination: | Roman Catholic |
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| Architect(s): | |
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| Contact data | |
| Address: | Piazza Bocca della Verità |
Santa Maria in Cosmedin is a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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[edit] History
The church was probably first built in the 6th century as part of a diaconia, an institution helping the poor. It was rebuilt by Pope Adrian I in 782. Exiles from the iconoclast persecutions in the East in the 8th century were sheltered here. It owes its present state to 9th and 12th century rebuildings. Its slender campanile is well known, giving it an unusual but pleasing appearance. The church is also known as Santa Maria in Schola Graeca, (Our Lady for the Greek Community). It was used by Greek merchants in Rome, and Greek monks used to serve here.
The name Kosmidion was used in the 8th century, probably a reference to the rich decoration.
A sacristy and an oratory dedicated to St Nicholas were added in the 9th century, but they were removed in 1085 by Robert Guiscard. The church was given a Baroque appearance in the 18th century, but was restored to the original style at the end of the 19th century.
Pope Stephen II established this deaconry. Among the former titular deacons of the church is Cardinal Reginald Pole (died 1558), Archbishop of Canterbury during the English Reformation. It has been vacant since 1967.
[edit] Exterior
The façade was rebuilt in the Baroque style in the 18th century, but in 1899, it was returned to its medieval state.
The most famous part of the church is found in the portico. The Bocca della Verità, 'Mouth of Truth', can be found at the left end. It is an ancient well-head or drain cover in the shape of a mask, placed here in 1632. According to legend, your hand will be bitten off if you place it inside the mouth and tell a lie.
Also in the portico is a monument to the architect Alphanus, who worked for Pope Calixtus II in the early 12th century.
The main door has 11th century carvings with Classical motifs, and is the work of Giovanni di Venetia.
Roman buildings, possibly part of the Stato Annonae, the residence of the Prefect in charge of food supplies have been found beneath the church.
[edit] Interior
The pavement, choir enclosure, pulpit, paschal candlestick, the baldachino over the altar and the altar screen were the work of the Cosmati in the 12th and 13th centuries. The baldachino, in Gothic style with Cosmatesque decoration, is signed 'Deodatus me fecit', 'Deodatus, (son of Cosmas) made me'. It is dated to 1294. Some of these were destroyed in the 18th century rebuilding, but were reconstructed in the 19th century. The choir enclosure and canopy are original. The paintings are recent, but in a style that makes them look ancient.
In front of the high altar is a rare example of 8th century opus sectile.
The high altar holds the skull of St Valentine. On his feast day, February 14th, it is brought out and crowned with roses.
Above the episcopal throne is an icon of Our Lady said to have been brought from Constantinople by Greek monks fleeing iconoclasm.
An 8th century mosaic of the Adoration of the Magi is displayed in the sacristy. It was originally in Chapel of the Virgin in old St Peter's, built under Pope John VII (706-707).
Several ancient buildings were demolished to build the church, and remains of these buildings are the cause of the visible irregularity of the nave.
On either side of the door are black granite stones. They are standardised Roman weights. In pre-Christian times, such weights were kept in the temples were they could be used to check the weights used by merchants. When Rome became a Christian city, they were moved to the churches.
[edit] Special notes
The Greek traditions connected to the church has been renewed, as the church is now open to the Melkite community in Rome. This consists mainly of Lebanese Catholics under the Byzantine rite. Mass is celebrated in both Arabic and Greek.
