Si informano i giornalisti accreditati che martedì 22 giugno 2010, alle ore 11.30, presso la Basilica di S. Paolo fuori le mura, avrà luogo una Conferenza Stampa di presentazione delle scoperte archeologiche all’interno delle catacombe romane di S. Tecla.
So says a Vatican press office release published on their web-site this morning. Translated:
Accredited journalists are informed that Tue 22 June 2010, at 11:30 am in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, there will take place a press conference on the presentation of archaeological discoveries in the Roman Catacombs of St. Tecla.
The release names those archaeologists who will present, and promises a tour afterwards. Why do I bother to write this for you? There are a couple of reasons—
First of all, I have never heard of the Catacombs of St. Tecla (nor are they listed in the most comprehensive guide to Rome that I have, the famous Blue Guide.) So my interest was piqued already.
More to the point, during the 19th century and also shortly before Pope Benedict declared the “Year of St. Paul,” diggings had been going on under the high altar at this church, built on the reputed site of St. Paul’s burial. Strong evidences have discovered, including a 1st century tomb and an inscription on marble, dating from the time of the Emperor Constantine, which reads (in English translation) "Paul, Apostle and Martyr" (see above). These are on display for the faithful, in situ under the high altar through a grate (though one cannot make a “tour” in the same way one can in the Scavi, or excavations underneath St. Peter’s, because of the nature of the underpinnings of the church). But then, no one would have suspected what could be found underneath the St. Peter’s high altar, below the “Niche of the Pallia,” during the 1940s and 1950s when the archaeological diggings were being conducted there. So this is an announcement with wonderful possibilities. So stay tuned and keep your ears and eyes open for more information, hopefully on Tue or Wed of next week.
So says a Vatican press office release published on their web-site this morning. Translated:
Accredited journalists are informed that Tue 22 June 2010, at 11:30 am in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, there will take place a press conference on the presentation of archaeological discoveries in the Roman Catacombs of St. Tecla.
The release names those archaeologists who will present, and promises a tour afterwards. Why do I bother to write this for you? There are a couple of reasons—
First of all, I have never heard of the Catacombs of St. Tecla (nor are they listed in the most comprehensive guide to Rome that I have, the famous Blue Guide.) So my interest was piqued already.
More to the point, during the 19th century and also shortly before Pope Benedict declared the “Year of St. Paul,” diggings had been going on under the high altar at this church, built on the reputed site of St. Paul’s burial. Strong evidences have discovered, including a 1st century tomb and an inscription on marble, dating from the time of the Emperor Constantine, which reads (in English translation) "Paul, Apostle and Martyr" (see above). These are on display for the faithful, in situ under the high altar through a grate (though one cannot make a “tour” in the same way one can in the Scavi, or excavations underneath St. Peter’s, because of the nature of the underpinnings of the church). But then, no one would have suspected what could be found underneath the St. Peter’s high altar, below the “Niche of the Pallia,” during the 1940s and 1950s when the archaeological diggings were being conducted there. So this is an announcement with wonderful possibilities. So stay tuned and keep your ears and eyes open for more information, hopefully on Tue or Wed of next week.
FATHER DAVID, WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT ST. TECLA? WAS HE AN EARLY
ReplyDeletePOPE?
She was reputedly a follower of St Paul (mentioned in apocryphal writings). Nothing firm is known about her. The catacombs outside St Paul's Outside the Walls are named for her. Some time ago (in 2009) in her catacombs an icon of St Paul was discovered, presumably dating to the 4th c. As to what else has been found, we'll have to wait for the press conference next Tue.
ReplyDeleteI HOPE ST. TECLA FORGIVES MY ASSUMPTION THAT THE NAME OF TECLA WAS NOT GIVEN FOR MALES.. I WONDER IF THERE WAS ANOTHER SIMILAR SOUNDING NAME WHICH WAS A POPE........IT SEEMED SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR TO ME.
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