Pancras of Rome
Died | 12 May 303 or 304 (aged 14) Rome |
---|---|
Venerated in | |
Major shrine | San Pancrazio, Rome, Italy. |
Feast | 12 May |
Attributes | Roman legion armour, martyr's palm branch, book, quill, sword |
Pancras (Latin: Sanctus Pancratius) was a Roman citizen who converted to Christianity and was beheaded for his faith at the age of fourteen, around the year 304. His name is Greek (Πανκράτιος) and means "the one that holds everything".
From an early stage, Pancras was venerated together with
Since 1969, Pancras has been venerated separately, still on 12 May. He is, traditionally, the second of the Ice Saints. In the Syriac traditions he is known as Mor Izozoel (Mar Azazael) remembered on 12 May and 12 August. He is the saint of children.
The London district of St Pancras, and by extension, the railway station of the same name, is named after St Pancras Old Church and St Pancras New Church.
Legend
Because he was said to have been martyred at the age of fourteen during the
During the persecution of Christians by
A Roman matron named Ottavilla recovered Pancras' body, covered it with
Veneration
Devotion to Pancras existed from the fifth century onwards, for the
Pancras is popularly venerated as the patron saint of children, jobs and health. His name is also invoked against cramps, false witnesses, headaches and perjury. His image in statue form can be found in many bars, restaurants and other businesses. He is also the patron saint of the Italian city San Pancrazio Salentino.
The
In the present General Roman Calendar, revised in 1969, Saints Nereus and Achilleus (together) and Saint Pancras have distinct celebrations (optional memorials) on 12 May. Saint Domitilla is not included in the revised calendar, because the liturgical honours once paid to her "have no basis in tradition".[4]
See also
References
- ^ Hubertus Drobner, Der heilige Pankratius: Leben, Legende und Verehrung 2nd rev. ed. 2005. (Paderborn:Bonifatius Verlag) is the most complete modern monograph on the texts and the spread of the cultus.
- ^ a b "San Pancrazio su santiebeati.it". Santiebeati.it. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
- ^ Eleanor P. Spencer and Wolfgang Stechow, "Sts. Nereus and Achilleus in the Fifteenth Century" The Art Bulletin 48.2 (June 1966:207–209).
- ^ a b Calendarium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana), p. 123