Munditia
Encyclopedia
Saint Munditia is venerated as a Christian
martyr
. Her relics are found in a side altar
at St. Peter's Church
(known as “Old Peter,” Alter Peter) in Munich
. They consist of a gilt-covered and gem-studded skeleton
, located in a glass case, with false eyes in her skull, which is wrapped in netting. Jewels cover the mouth of the relic’s rotten teeth.
Her relics were translated
to Munich from Rome
in 1675 from the catacombs
of Cyriaca. They were transferred to her Baroque Era
-shrine
was built on September 5, 1677.
The inscription on the reliquary
reads:
The meaning of “APC” is unclear. The Roman document of authenticity states that it means “ASCIA PLEXA CAPITA” (“beheaded
with a hatchet
”), describing the manner of her martyrdom. APC may also refer to: "ANDRONICO PROBO CONSULIBUS”, referring to the fact that she was martyred during the consulate
of Andronicus and Probus, thus making her date of death 310 AD.
In 1804, her relics were concealed behind a wooden shrine, but this was removed in 1883, restoring interest in her cult. Her feast day is now celebrated annually with a High Mass and a procession with candles.
's poem, called "Saint Munditia", is found in her collection No Traveller Returns, in which she describes the saint as being "dug up from her burial / a millennium and a third since the flesh fell off her. / She’s back in church."
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
. Her relics are found in a side altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
at St. Peter's Church
St. Peter's Church, München
St. Peter's Church is a Roman Catholic church in the inner city of Munich, southern Germany. It is also the oldest church in the district.-History:...
(known as “Old Peter,” Alter Peter) in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. They consist of a gilt-covered and gem-studded skeleton
Skeleton
The skeleton is the body part that forms the supporting structure of an organism. There are two different skeletal types: the exoskeleton, which is the stable outer shell of an organism, and the endoskeleton, which forms the support structure inside the body.In a figurative sense, skeleton can...
, located in a glass case, with false eyes in her skull, which is wrapped in netting. Jewels cover the mouth of the relic’s rotten teeth.
Her relics were translated
Translation (relics)
In Christianity, the translation of relics is the removal of holy objects from one locality to another ; usually only the movement of the remains of the saint's body would be treated so formally, with secondary relics such as items of clothing treated with less ceremony...
to Munich from Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in 1675 from the catacombs
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...
of Cyriaca. They were transferred to her Baroque Era
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
-shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
was built on September 5, 1677.
The inscription on the reliquary
Reliquary
A reliquary is a container for relics. These may be the physical remains of saints, such as bones, pieces of clothing, or some object associated with saints or other religious figures...
reads:
The meaning of “APC” is unclear. The Roman document of authenticity states that it means “ASCIA PLEXA CAPITA” (“beheaded
Decapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...
with a hatchet
Hatchet
A hatchet is a single-handed striking tool with a sharp blade used to cut and split wood...
”), describing the manner of her martyrdom. APC may also refer to: "ANDRONICO PROBO CONSULIBUS”, referring to the fact that she was martyred during the consulate
Roman consul
A consul served in the highest elected political office of the Roman Republic.Each year, two consuls were elected together, to serve for a one-year term. Each consul was given veto power over his colleague and the officials would alternate each month...
of Andronicus and Probus, thus making her date of death 310 AD.
In 1804, her relics were concealed behind a wooden shrine, but this was removed in 1883, restoring interest in her cult. Her feast day is now celebrated annually with a High Mass and a procession with candles.
Cultural references
Vahni CapildeoVahni Capildeo
Surya Vahni Priya Capildeo is a Trinidadian writer, and a member of the extended Capildeo family which has produced notable Trinidadian politicians and writers ....
's poem, called "Saint Munditia", is found in her collection No Traveller Returns, in which she describes the saint as being "dug up from her burial / a millennium and a third since the flesh fell off her. / She’s back in church."