Catacomb of Calepodius
Encyclopedia
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. 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. 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.
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. Calepodius, the early Christian martyr eponymous with the Catacomb was translated with the two pontiffs.
Catacombs of Rome
The Catacombs of Rome are ancient catacombs, underground burial places under or near Rome, Italy, of which there are at least forty, some discovered only in recent decades. Though most famous for Christian burials, either in separate catacombs or mixed together, they began in the 2nd century, much...
, notable for containing the tombs of Pope Callixtus I
Pope Callixtus I
Pope Saint Callixtus I or Callistus I was pope from about 217 to about 222, during the reigns of the Roman Emperors Elagabalus and Alexander Severus...
(ironically, the creator of the Catacomb of Callixtus
Catacomb of Callixtus
The Catacomb of Callixtus was one of the Catacombs of Rome on the Appian Way, most notable for containing the Crypt of the Popes , which contained the tombs of several popes from the 2nd to 4th centuries...
, which once contained the tombs of a dozen other popes) and Pope Julius I
Pope Julius I
Pope Saint Julius I, was pope from February 6, 337 to April 12, 352.He was a native of Rome and was chosen as successor of Mark after the Roman seat had been vacant for four months. He is chiefly known by the part he took in the Arian controversy...
, along with the eponymous Calepodius
Calepodius
Saint Calepodius was a priest who was killed during the persecutions of Christians by the Roman Emperor Alexander Severus. One of the catacombs of Rome, the cemetery of Calepodius on the Aurelian Way, was named after him.-Veneration:...
.
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. 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. This tomb was discovered in 1960, although the relics were likely translated to Santa Maria in Trastevere
Santa Maria in Trastevere
The Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere is a titular minor basilica, one of the oldest churches in Rome, and perhaps the first in which mass was openly celebrated...
in 790 by Pope Adrian I
Pope Adrian I
Pope Adrian was pope from February 1, 772 to December 25, 795. He was the son of Theodore, a Roman nobleman.Shortly after Adrian's accession the territory ruled by the papacy was invaded by Desiderius, king of the Lombards, and Adrian was compelled to seek the assistance of the Frankish king...
due to the impending Lombard invasion.
The only other papal tomb in the Catacomb of Calepodius was that of Pope Julius I
Pope Julius I
Pope Saint Julius I, was pope from February 6, 337 to April 12, 352.He was a native of Rome and was chosen as successor of Mark after the Roman seat had been vacant for four months. He is chiefly known by the part he took in the Arian controversy...
(337 - 352), who was translated with Callixtus I to Santa Maria in Trastevere. Calepodius, the early Christian martyr eponymous with the Catacomb was translated with the two pontiffs.