Agnes of Rome

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Saint Agnes, mosaic in the Basilica of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura in Rome
St. Agnes with lamb and martyr's palm ( Bolzum, St. Josef )

Agnes of Rome (* around 237; † around 250 in Rome ) is venerated in various denominations as a martyr , consecrated virgin and saint . In Spanish her name is Santa Inés .

The life of St. Agnes according to tradition

Saint Agnes came from a noble Roman family . When the son of the prefect of Rome wanted to marry twelve-year-old Agnes, she confessed that she could never marry him because she had vowed celibacy for Christ's sake. Agnes was then brought to justice. But even the judge's threats failed to dissuade her from her vow .

Since Roman law forbade the execution of virgins, Agnes was ordered to be completely undressed and then rape . The Legenda aurea reports that then, in a miraculous way, her head hair covered her entire body, and the whole place was shone in white light. While trying to rape her, the prefect's son was haunted by a demon and died. Agnes had called him back to life through her prayer, whereupon she was called a sorceress or witch . When they wanted to burn Agnes at the stake , even the fire shrank from her.

Eventually she was beheaded by a Roman soldier with the sword in the manner of killing lambs. Therefore, in tradition and iconography, St. Agnes often appears in connection with a lamb (Latin agnus ).

Adoration

Interior view of the Church of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura

The relics of St. Agnes are in the church of Sant'Agnese fuori le mura (St. Agnes Outside the Walls) on Via Nomentana in Rome . The construction of the original S. Agnese Church is linked to the Santa Costanza Mausoleum . After it fell into disrepair, however, Pope Honorius had a small basilica built right next to it between 625 and 630 , which was also dedicated to the saint . According to tradition, the Roman church of Sant'Agnese in Agone in Piazza Navona stands on the spot where Agnes suffered martyrdom. The exact year of death of St. Agnes is unknown.

The Remembrance Day of the Saints is January 21 in Catholic , Orthodox , Anglican, and American Lutheran Churches . In the Catholic Church , St. Agnes is invoked as the patron saint of virgins and young girls, betrothed and chastity . The saint is one of several virgins and martyrs whose names are mentioned in the first prayer . The writings of the church father Ambrosius († 397) show the great admiration and esteem that the saint enjoyed during his lifetime.

On the day of remembrance of St. Agnes, the Pope blesses the Agnes lambs. The wool from these lambs is used to make the pallia that are presented to the Metropolitans appointed last year on Solemnity Peter and Paul . According to custom, no more New Year wishes should be sent from Sankt Agnes.

The Agnesviertel was named after the St. Agnes church in Cologne, which was consecrated to the saint .

Farmer rules

Numerous peasant rules (weather rules) apply to the feast day of the saints :

  • When Agnes and Vincentus come (→ January 22nd), new sap will be heard in the tree.
  • The Agnesonne has neither strength nor delight.
  • Sunshine on Agnestag, the fruit may get worm-eaten.
  • If the sun shines at Agnes, the harvest will later be bliss.
  • When clouds move over the ground on August, the harvest always remains healthy.

See also

literature

Web links

Commons : Agnes of Rome  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The Latin genitive is (Sanctae) Agnetis ; hence the common form of name St. Agneten for old Agnes churches and monasteries.
  2. ↑ http://www.erzabtei-beuron.de/schott/register/proprium.alph/schott_anz/index.html?file=proprium/Januar21_1.htm
  3. ↑ Ambrose of Milan On the Virgins three books , chap. 2, paras. 5-9).
  4. ↑ Kath.net : Benedict XVI. blessed two lambs January 21, 2007
personal data
SURNAME Agnes of Rome
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Saint Agnes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Christian martyr and virgin
DATE OF BIRTH at 237
PLACE OF BIRTH Rome
DATE OF DEATH at 250
Place of death Rome