Sant'Adriano al Foro

The church, on the right, around 1500.

Sant'Adriano al Foro was a church formerly in the Curia Julia in the Forum Romanum.

History

The Church of Sant'Adriano al Foro (St. Hadrian the Roman Forum) was built by Pope Honorius I in 630 on the site of the Curia Julia or Senate House of Ancient Rome. The end of the sixth and the beginning of the seventh century mark for Rome a period of profound decay.[1] The curia was abandoned until Honorius decided to erect the church. Its name refers to the martyr Adrian of Nicomedia. Paintings are still visible in a side chapel which depict scenes from the life of St. Adrian; there are also some Byzantine paintings.[2]

It was designated by Pope Sergius (687-701) as the starting point for the litanies during certain the procession liturgical feasts of the Virgin Mary, Presentation in the Temple, Annunciation, Assumption and Nativity.[3]

Its structure was modified multiple times before it was deconsecrated in the 1930s to recover the ancient structure of the building. On either side of the entrance are niches corresponding to medieval burials. Pope Gregory IX made substantial changes to the building in 1228. In the 17th century its large bronze doors were moved to the Basilica of St. John Lateran.[2]

The painting of the Holy Family of the school of Raphael was moved to the Church of Santa Maria and Mercede, and the name Sant Adriano added.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Hülsen, Christian. The Roman Forum - History and Monuments, p.24, Ermanno Loescher & Co., 1905
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lorizzo, Paul. "The Ancient Center of Roman Power", Zenit, May 19 2012
  3. ↑ Miranda, Salvatore. "Deaconries", Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church
  4. ↑ "Parish of Santa Maria and Merced Sant Adriano", Diocese of Rome