Catacomb of Calepodius

Coordinates: 41°53′33″N 12°25′57″E / 41.89258°N 12.43240°E / 41.89258; 12.43240 The Catacomb of Calepodius (also called the Cemetery of Calepodius) is one of the Catacombs of Rome, notable for containing the tombs of Pope Callixtus I (ironically, the creator of the Catacomb of Callixtus, which once contained the tombs of a dozen other popes) and Pope Julius I, along with the eponymous Calepodius.

Callixtus I (217 - 222) was interred in the Catacomb of Calepodius, instead of that which bears his name, allegedly because the latter was under surveillance of the emperor's guards; this legend as well as that of Callixtus I's martyrdom is unlikely as there was no persecution of Christians under Alexander Severus, the emperor when Callixtus I died.[1] However, Julius I erected a more elaborate tomb of Callixtus I in the catacomb in the fourth century, decorated with frescos of his alleged martyrdom.[1] This tomb was discovered in 1960, although the relics were likely translated to Santa Maria in Trastevere in 790 by Pope Adrian I due to the impending Lombard invasion.[1]

The only other papal tomb in the Catacomb of Calepodius was that of Pope Julius I (337 - 352), who was translated with Callixtus I to Santa Maria in Trastevere.[2] Calepodius, the early Christian martyr eponymous with the Catacomb was translated with the two pontiffs.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Reardon, 2004, p. 26.
  2. ↑ Reardon, 2004, p. 35.

References


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