More on Saint Praxedes

As promised, more on Saint Praxedes

The Interior

The Arch in front of the apse Bowl.

Behind the Arch, the apse bowl.
The inscription, in heameters, at the basin of the apse:

Translation:
This is the resting-place in honor of the noble (holy) Praxedes
Beloved of the Lord in heaven, is resplendent with decoration of diverse precious
stones thanks to the kindness of the Sovereign Pontiff Paschal
disciple of the Apostolic See.
He it was who placed under these walls
the bodies of numerous saints gathered from every part,
confident that, by their own means they have merited
admittance to the resting-place in heaven

Saint Praxedes Basilica

Santa Prassede
One of the most interesting Churches was the church we visited on the very first day, Saint Praxedes. Reconstructed in 822 AD. The Crypt (apply at the Sacristy) with sarcophagi and a 3rd century altar. Chapel of S. Zeno, one of the most important monuments (Byzantine) in Rome. It was a rainy day and we had inadvertently stumbled upon it.

The basilica filled with beautiful mosaics. Below is an icon that represents Paschal I, whose pontificate started in 817 and lasted until 824.
Below is the mosaic that is seen from the ground up toward the apse bowl Below is a bennu or phoenix with a small bright nimbus. This Symbolic bird from the Nile valley is the emblem of the rising and setting or the sun, of birth and rebirth. Christian Culture has made it the emblem of the Christ-son, born and resurrected and of the resurrection of Christians in him. As you see in the above picture, near the feet of the bystanders flows the Jordan River.

Below, is the mosaic of Paschal I. The square, rather than the circle,

above his head, represents the fact that he was still among the living

when the mosaic was completed.

More on the Basilica of St Praxedes and theses pictures later.

Umbrellas

It rained a good amount while we were in the Eternal City. Of course nobody packed an umbrella. There were plenty of street vendors to provide tourists with umbrellas. The going price for umbrellas was two for five euros. I, of course, being a financial wizard paid five euros for one. Our esteemed president was able to haggle the vendors down to three for six, I believe. If you are in Rome, don't expect to be bringing these umbrellas home. You'd be lucky if they lasted three days. They are the FIAT of umbrellas. Caveat Emptor.

Chiesa del Gesù in Rome

Some Photos Chiesa del Gesù in Rome

All the pictures except for the very last are taken by yours truly.




Painting of Saint Ignatius from inside the church





Side altar with the image of the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Sacrament.



The High Altar



Above the High Altar


If you love the Society of Jesus, you should love this picture. It is also above the High Altar



A silver statue of Saint Ignatius encrusted with jewels above his sarcophagus




The sarcophagus of Saint Ignatius




The hand of Saint Francis Xavier