Chapter 23. Translation ot the bodies of Saints Cecilia, Valerian, Tiburtius, Maximus, Urban, and Lucius

Cecilia was about to return to the Holy City which had been honored by her presence so many centuries before. The house where she had won so many souls to Christ, which she had sanctified with her blood, and transmitted to Pope Urban, to be converted into a temple of the Lord, she would now find restored by another Pontiff, and faithfully preserving the destination she had given it at her death.

Several months had elapsed since the day when Paschal had resolved to restore this sanctuary. On the 8th of the Ides of May (8 May)* 822, the Pontifi solemnly dedicated St. Cecilia's Church, and doubtless upon the same day he placed her holy relics under the Confession.

He placed a white marble sarcophagus for the virgin, who richly merited the first honors of so magnificent a triumph. Paschal, following Urban's example, respected the attitude of the Virgin. He left her in the cypress coffin just as he had found her; but he lined the inside of it with a rich fringed silk damask, called quadrapulum ; over her body he threw a light silken veil, also fringed, and made of a materia^ called stauracin.'f When he had concluded

• See the ordo of the church of St. Cecilia 8 May, and the titles published by Laderchi vol. ii. page 10.

t Fecit etiam in arcella ad corpus jam dictse Vlrginis vestem do quadrapulo cum periclysi. Item ct aliam vestem de stauraci cum mclvsi de olovero. Anaias. Li Paschal L these arrangements, he closed . the tomb with a ' marble slab which was destined not to be removed for eight centuries.

The three bodies of Valerian, Tiburtius, and Maximus, were placed in a second sarcophagus ; Valerian between the two other martyrs, and each one wrapped in a separate winding-sheet. Before closing the second sepulchre, Paschal took the head of Tiburtius which had been severed by the sword, and placed this precious relic in a silver casket, weighing eight pounds, wishing that the faithful should have continually before their eyes, so eloquent a testimony of the martyr's courage.*

Paschal prepared a third sarcophagus for the body of Urban, whom he wished to place with his spiritual children. That the holy Pope might not repose alone, he removed the body of Lucius, a successor of St. Urban, and also a martyr, from the church of St. Praxedes, and interred the Pontiffs together. Urban and Lucius were also wrapped each in a separate winding-sheet. Paschal having closed this third sepulchre, caused a circular wall to be built round the place where the martyrs reposed. A marble slab, bearing a mosaic cross and an inscription, was placed inside the sepulchre, near the tombs, to certify to posterity, the value of the treasure which Paschal had interred there.

• Anastasius, or his copyist, erred in attributing to Cecilia the head of which we speak. When the virgin's tomb was opened the second time, the head was found with the body ; and the tradition of the Basilica, which attributed the head to Tiburtius, was confirmed by opening the tomb of the latter.

The following verses were engraven on the marble :

HANC FIDEI ZELO PASCHALIS PRIJVIVS AB IMO ECCLESIAM RENO VANS, DVM CORPORA SACRA REQVIR[T, ELEVAT INVENTVM VENERANDAE MARTYRIS ALMAE CAECILIAE CORPVS, HOC ILLVD MARMORE CONDENS. LUCIVS, VRBANVS, HVIC PONTIFICES SOCIANTVR ; VOSQVE DEI TESTES, TIBVRTI, VALERIANE, MAXIME, CVM DICTIS CONSORTIA DIGNA TENETIS. HOS COLIT EGREGIOS DEVOTE ROMA PATRONOS.*

The principal altar of the church was erected over the tombs ; according to custom, an opening protected by a movable grating, and called fenestella, was cut in the solid stone; and within was a perpendicular conduit, by means of which, pieces of linen, called brandea, were lowered down to the tomb. After having been sanctified by this sacred contact, these linen cloths were distributed as relics. Paschal covered the altar, and the interior of the above-mentioned aperture with silver plates, and placed on the altar a magnificent ciborium of the same metal, weighing five hundred pounds. He adorned the Confession with a statue of St. Cecilia, also of silver, weighing ninety-five pounds. Three other statues, probably those of Valerian, Tiburtius, and Maximus, were grouped around that of the virgin. They were made of the same material, but were gilded, and the three together weighed forty-eight pounds. One hundred pounds of silver were employed in the deco-

• When Paschal restored this church, he sought for and discovered the body of the martyr, Cecilia, which he placed under this marble. The Pontiffs Lucius and Urban are with her, and you, also, Tiburtius, Valerian, and Maximus, occupy an honorable place. Here repose those whom Rome reveres as her powerful protectors.

rations of two columns of Byzantine workmanship, which supported an arcade, the whole interior of which was covered with silver plates.*

The Papal Chronicle also gives an inventory of the sacred vessels and furniture presented by Paschal to the Basilica. We mention these details to prove this Pontiff's veneration for the holy martyrs, also to give some idea of the wealth of the Eoman churches in the ninth century. Among the offerings were twenty-six silver chalices for the different altars, weighing together one hundred and nine pounds ; two silver lamps, each weighing two pounds; a basin of pure gold, weighing three pounds ; a silver censor weighing one pound ; a purple altar-cloth, the centre of gold brocade, upon which was embroidered an angel distributing crowns to Valerian, Cecilia, and Tiburtius, the whole trimmed with gold fringe of marvellous workmanship ; costly veils and tapestry, some destined for the Confession, others for different altars of the Basilica, and for the Presbytery, without counting the large and rich curtain, hanging at the entrance of the church.f

A description of these fabrics, all of the richest material, would detain us too long; we will, however, mention another altar-cloth which Paschal presented a short time before his death. It was of gold brocade, and enriched with a magnificent piece of embroidery, representing the resurrection of our Lord.J

This Basilica, which the Pontiff had decorated with such magnificence, was built according to the * Anastas. In Paschali. \ Ibid. \ Ibid, style observed in all the Eoman churches. A court surrounded by a portico, with a fountain in the centre, was in front of the building.

The bath room in which Cecilia breathed her last sigh, was upon the right, at the entrance of the Basilica. Above the columns of the grand nave, Paschal caused to be painted a series of the Eoman Pontiffs, from St. Peter to himself, similar to those in the churches of St. Peter and of St. Paul.*

Between the apsis and the grand nave, a triumphal arch was erected covered with a brilliant mosaic. In the centre, the mother of God was represented seated upon a throne, and holding the Divine Infant on her knees. She is accompanied by two Angels, one standing on her right, the other on her left. On either side, five Virgins are advancing towards the throne of the Son and His mother, each presenting a crown. These virgins are separated one from the other by palm trees. Lower down, the twenty-four elders of the Apocalypse, twelve on either side, are represented raising their crowns to Christ, to whose glory this triumphal arch was consecratedf The mosaic of the apsis was not executed until after the translation of the Martyrs, as Paschal desired by its means to perpetuate the remembrance of this event so glorious for the Basilica.

It has been preserved until the present day, and although the rich enamel is somewhat faded, the mosaic is none the less venerable. In the centre, our Saviour is represented standing, and clothed in a

• Marangoni. Cose gentilesche ad uso delle cliiese. Page 311. f The design of this mosaic, which has been destroyed, may be found in Ciampini, Vetera Monimenta, tome ii. page 157.

mantle sparkling with gold. With His right hand, he is giving a blessing according to the Greek manner, while, in his left, he holds a roll of the Gospels. The Byzantine artist represented St. Peter on the left of our Saviour, because among the Greeks, that was considered the post of honor. The prince of the Apostles wears a silver cloak, and holds two keys, the symbols of his power. Valerian and Cecilia stand i^ext to him ; the former also wears a silver cloak, and holds a crown in his hand ; the Virgin has her hair fastened with a band, and her neck adorned with a necklace formed of three rows of pearls. Her dress and mantle are of gold, and she holds a crown composed of two rows of pearls. The picture terminates on the left with a palm tree laden with fruit. St. Paul stands on the right of our Saviour, enveloped in a golden mantle, and holding a book of the Gospels richly bound. St. Agatha stands next, crowned with a diadem, and clothed in a golden robe, the beauty of which is enhanced by a rich trimming of pearls. She rests her right hand upon the shoulder of Paschal who wears the antique Chasuble and Pallium, and holds in his hands a little edifice representing St. Cecilia's Church, in the dedication of which he added the name of Agatha to that of the Eoman Virgin. The picture on this side also, is terminated by a palm tree laden with fruit; a phoenix stands upon one of the upper-branches of the tree, as if to recall the symbolical bird which Cecilia caused to be engraven upon the tomb of Maximus.

On the dower part of the mosaic, the Lamb of God is represented with five rivers flowing under his ieet, ancient symbols of the vivifying fountains which flow from the Bedeemer's wounds. On either side, six lambs, representing the Twelve Apostles, advance towards the Divine Lamb.*

The monogram of Paschal is placed at the top of the apsis, and on the lower part of this immense picture, the inscription in verse, in which he dedicated this sumptuous monument of the Byzantine art to St. Cecilia. It runs thus : +

HAEC DOMVS AMPLA MICAT VARUS FABRICATA METALLIS OLIM QVM FVERAT CONFRACTA SVB TEMPORE PRISCO. CONDITIT IN MELIVS PASCHALIS PR^ESVL OPIMVS. HANC AVLAM DOMINI FIRMANS FVNDAMINE CLARO. AVREA GEMMATIS RESONANT HJEC DYNDIMA TEMPLI. LJETVS AMORE DEI HIC CONIVNXIT CORPORA SANCTA CAECILIAE ET SOCIIS RVTILAT HIC FLORE 1VVENTVS, QVAE PRIDEM IN CRYPTIS PAVSABANT MEMBRA BEATA. ROMA RESVLTAT OVANS SEMPER ORNATA PER AEVVM.f

Such were the testimonials of Paschal's devotion to St. Cecilia, and such were the ornaments with which he enriched her Basilica. In his distribution of relics to the different churches, he could not forget that of St. Cecilia. Nine hundred bodies of Martyrs were placed in her Basilica, as if to form an escort

• This mosaic may also be seen in Ciampini. Vetera Monimenta page 160.

f This vast temple, was falling to ruins when Paschal, in his munificence, restored it. He placed this temple of God upon the richest foundation ; the sanctuary, brilliant with gold, sparkles with precious stones. Paschal reunited in this Church the bodies of Cecilia and her companions. This family, composed of young patricians whose remains were so long concealed in the crypts, now reposes here.

for the glorious Spouse of Christ, and also to increase the dignity of her august sanctuary,*

Paschal was not satisfied with merely restoring the dwelling of St. Cecilia ; he also wished to ensure a tribute of homage which day and night should ascend to heaven from this holy place. He therefore by his largesses installed a choir of monks near the church to sing the Divine Office. He caused a monastery to be built in a place called Colles Jacentes, and endowed'it with the revenues of a hospital which his predecessor, St. Leo III., had founded near St Peter's, upon a tract of ground formerly used for aquatic games. This hospital had not prospered, and had consequently been abandoned.

After having paid so much honor to the Virgin Cecilia, Paschal happily ended his Pontificate which is signalized among all others by acts of piety towards the holy martyrs. The Pontiff had acquitted the debt of gratitude which the church owed to those who had cemented it with their blood. If the triumph he reserved for Cecilia, exceeded that of all the other martyrs whose relics he translated, it was because Paschal, like Urban, felt that there are many mansions in the house of the Heavenly Father ;f and that the daughter of the Cecilii had heroically

• Sixtus V. Bref Salvator noster. Laderclii, tome ii. page 410. This tradition is open to criticism. It seems at first sight to have originated from a text of the Roman Marty rology of tho4th of March, where nine hundred Martyrs are mentioned as being buried ad Sand am Catriliam, viz., in the cemetery of Cecilia and Sixtus. But as Laderclii remarks, Paschal may have transferred these martyrs to the church after the Translation of Cecilia's body. This would explain every thing.

\ John xiv., 2.

ascended to one of those reserved for the most magnanimous souls.

Paschal died in the year 824. In the following century, Flodoard* a canon of the Church of Eheims, and one of the first historians of France, wrote a poem commemorating the deeds of the Eoman Pontiffs. He eulogized the virtues of Paschal; but dwelt particularly upon Cecilia's apparition to that Pontiff, and described the glorious tomb where she reposed in her rich apparel, surrounded by the bloodstained evidences of her martyrdom. Thus even the churches, in foreign countries, were deeply interested in the events which had taken place in Eome, and

• We will give the passage of Flodoard's poem referring to the events we have related

CcBciliae cernens incumbere casibus aedem In meliora levat restructis culmina septis. Defessum precibus, queni Caecilia visere Virgo Affariquc probat dignum : taraen increpat, nt quid Liqnerit incertum quaerendi membra labor em, Qua? sublata putat popularis credulus aurae ? Ut se res habeat referens, nomenque roganti Adnotat, hortaturque piis persistcre coeptis ; Gaudeat invento dum munere : nam placet, inquit ; JEterno Domino, cujus splendoris amore Me passam constat, noviter quo me ipse repertam A te constructi templi munimine condas. Hie dictis celeri repetit ccelestia saltu. Papa revelato lsetus tarn lucis aperte Indicio, indagans thesauri celsa talenta Reperit, eximiis pretiosa monilia gemmis. Aurea virgineum celabant tegmina pignus : Carbasa Martyrii rutilabant sanguine clari ; Qua? pater almificus manibus pia munera tractans Colligit, inducens Urbi instrumenta salutis : Atque locat thalamo candentia membra decoro. D. Mabillon. Acta SS. Orel. S. Ben. scec. iii. part. ii. p 5S7 the glory of Cecilia seemed to be appreciated through* out Christendom. Whilst Alexander Severus was remembered only in the pages of history, the renown of the noble young Eoman maiden, who had suffered in his reign a cruel death, increased with every succeeding age. We will quote the eloquent lines of St. John Chrysostom, who, wishing to impress the people with an idea of the ever increasing glory of the martyrs, contrasts it with that of the Cossars, among whom he particularly names Alexander Severus.

" The Eoman Senate," says this eloquent Bishop, " decreed the apotheosis of Alexander Severus, and made him the thirteenth of their principal gods;* for this assembly had the power of creating and declaring gods. If these Pagans are asked : i How can Alexander be a god ? Is he not dead ? Did he not die a miserable death?' They reply: ' During his life, Alexander accomplished many and noble actions. He subjugated cities and nations ; he was victorious in wars and combats; he erected innumerable trophies.' I see nothing either new or suprising that a man who was at once a king and a great general, having under him large armies, should gain victories ; but I am filled with astonishment when I find that a man, who suffered on the cross and was laid in the tomb, daily performs so many miracles both on land and sea ; this proves a secret and divine power. After the death of Alexander, hi Jfcnpire was divided

• This remark of St. John Chrysostom is not strictly correct. There is no certain proof that the Senate by special decree placed Alexander among their gods; but Lampridins expressly says, that during Alexander's lire a temple was elected to his honor.

and annihilated, and yet he did not restore it. What could that dead man do? Christ, on the contrary, founded an empire, but it was not until after his death that he accomplished his work. But why do I speak of Christ, when he has granted to his very disciples so much glory beyond the tomb ? Tell me, where sleeps Alexander's dust? On what day did he die? "What I do know is, that the tombs of the servants of God are erected with magnificence ; they are the ornaments of the royal city ; every one knows the day that is consecrated to them ; it is celebrated throughout the world. The Gentiles cannot point out Alexander's tomb ; they know not where it is. The very barbarians know those of the Martyrs. The sepulchres of those who served the Crucified, surpass the palaces of emperors, not only by their extent and beauty, but still more by the concourse of people who visit them. Even kings prostrate themselves before their tombs, and renouncing their pomp, beseech the servants of God to intercede for them. The fisherman and the tent maker are both dead, and he who now wears the diadem humbly implores their protection."*