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{{Short description|Child martyr of early Christianity}}
{{Other uses|St. Pancras (disambiguation){{!}}St. Pancras (disambiguation)}} {{Other uses|St. Pancras (disambiguation){{!}}St. Pancras (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox saint {{Infobox saint
| honorific_prefix = ]
| name = Pancras of Rome | name = Pancras of Rome
| image = Barcelona Cathedral Interior - Statue of Saint Pancrace of Rome.jpg | image = Barcelona Cathedral Interior - Statue of Saint Pancrace of Rome.jpg
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| birth_name = | birth_name =
| birth_date = c. 289 | birth_date = c. 289
| birth_place = ]<br />(modern-day ], ], ])
| birth_place = Synnada
| home_town = | home_town =
| residence = | residence =
| death_date = 12 May 303 or 304 (aged 14) | death_date = 12 May 303 or 304 (aged 14)
| death_place = | death_place = ]
| venerated_in = {{plainlist| | venerated_in = {{plainlist|
*]
*] *]
*]}} *]}}
| beatified_date = | beatified_date =
| beatified_place = | beatified_place =
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| canonized_place = | canonized_place =
| canonized_by = | canonized_by =
| major_shrine = ], Rome, Italy | major_shrine = ], Rome, Italy.
| feast_day = 12 May | feast_day = 12 May
| attributes = Roman legion armour, martyr's palm branch, book, quill, sword | attributes = Roman legion armour, martyr's palm branch, book, quill, sword
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| major_works = | major_works =
}} }}
'''Saint Pancras''' (]: ''Sanctus Pancratius'') was a ] citizen who converted to ], and was beheaded for his faith at the age of fourteen, around the year 304. His name is ] (Πανκράτιος) and means "the one that holds everything". '''Pancras''' (]: ''Sanctus Pancratius'') was a ] citizen who converted to ] and was beheaded for his faith at the age of fourteen, around the year 304. His name is ] ({{lang|grc|Πανκράτιος}} {{translit|grc|Pankrátios}}), meaning 'all-powerful'.


From an early stage, Saint Pancras was venerated together with ] in a shared feast day and ] formula on 12 May. In 1595, 25 years after ] promulgated the ], ] was also added. From an early period, Pancras was venerated together with ] in a shared feast day and ] formula on 12 May. In 1595, 25 years after ] promulgated the ], ] was also added.


Since 1969, Saint Pancras has been venerated separately, still on 12 May. He is, traditionally, the second of the ]. Since 1969, Pancras has been venerated separately, still on 12 May. He is traditionally the second of the ].<ref></ref> In the Syriac traditions he is known as ''Mor Izozoel'' (Mar Azazael), remembered on 12 May and 12 August. He is the patron saint of children.

In the Syriac traditions he is known as Mor Izozoel (Mar Azazael) remembered on 12 May and 12 August.
The London district of ], and by extension, the ] of the same name, is named after ] and ].


==Legend== ==Legend==
], Moravia.]] ], Moravia]]
Because he was said to have been martyred at the age of fourteen during the ], Pancras would have been born around 289, at a place designated as near ], a city of ], to parents of ]. His mother Cyriada died during childbirth, while his father Cleonius died when Pancras was eight years old. Pancras was entrusted to his uncle Dionysius' care. They both moved to Rome to live in a ] on the ]. They converted to Christianity, and Pancras became a zealous adherent of the religion. Because he was said to have been martyred at the age of fourteen during the ], Pancras would have been born around 289, at a place designated as near ], a city of ], to parents of ]. When Pancras was nine years old, his mother Cyriada died during childbirth; his father died of grief not long after. Pancras was entrusted to his uncle Dionysius' care. They both moved to Rome to live in a ] on the ]. They were converted to Christianity by one Marcellinus, and Pancras became a zealous adherent of the religion. Dionysius subsequently died, leaving Pancras on his own.<ref></ref>


During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian, around 303 AD, he was brought before the authorities and asked to perform a sacrifice to the ]. Diocletian, impressed with the boy's determination to resist, promised him wealth and power, but Pancras refused, and finally the emperor ordered him to be beheaded on the ], on 12 May 303 AD; this traditional year of his martyrdom cannot be squared with the saint's defiance of Diocletian in Rome, which the emperor had not visited since 286, nor with the mention of ] (251–253) as ] at the time of the martyrdom, as the most recent monograph on Pancras' texts and cult has pointed out.<ref>Hubertus Drobner, ''Der heilige Pankratius: Leben, Legende und Verehrung'' 2nd rev. ed. 2005. (Paderborn:Bonifatius Verlag) is the most complete modern monograph on the texts and the spread of the ''cultus''.</ref> During the persecution of Christians by ], around 303 AD, he was brought before the authorities and asked to perform a sacrifice to the ]. Diocletian, impressed with the boy's determination to resist, promised him wealth and power, but Pancras refused, and finally the emperor ordered him to be beheaded on the ], on 12 May 303 AD. This traditional year of his martyrdom cannot be squared with the saint's defiance of Diocletian in Rome, which the emperor had not visited since 286, nor with the mention of ] (251–253) as ] at the time of the martyrdom, as the most recent monograph on Pancras' texts and cult has pointed out.<ref>Hubertus Drobner, ''Der heilige Pankratius: Leben, Legende und Verehrung'' 2nd rev. ed. 2005. (Paderborn:Bonifatius Verlag) is the most complete modern monograph on the texts and the spread of the ''cultus''.</ref>


A Roman matron named Ottavilla recovered Pancras' body, covered it with ], wrapped it in precious linens, and buried it in a newly built sepulchre dug in the ]. Pancras' head was placed in the ] that still exists today in the ].<ref name="San Pancrazio Martire">{{Cite web|url=http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/27200|title=San Pancrazio su santiebeati.it|website=Santiebeati.it|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref> A Roman matron named Octavilla recovered Pancras' body, covered it with ], wrapped it in precious linens, and buried it in a newly built sepulchre dug in the ]. Pancras' head was placed in the ] that still exists today in the ].<ref name="San Pancrazio Martire">{{Cite web|url=http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/27200|title=San Pancrazio su santiebeati.it|website=Santiebeati.it|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref>


==Veneration== ==Veneration==
] ]
Devotion to Pancras definitely existed from the fifth century onwards, for the ] was built by ] (498–514), on the place where the body of the young martyr had been buried; his earliest '']'' seems to have been written during this time.<ref name="San Pancrazio Martire"/> ] gave impetus to the cult of Pancras, sending ] to England carrying relics of that saint and including his legend in ''Liber in gloria martyrum'' (for this reason, many English churches are dedicated to Pancras; ] in London is one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England). In medieval iconography, Pancras was depicted as a young soldier, due to his association with the paired ]s Nereus and Achilleus.<ref>Eleanor P. Spencer and Wolfgang Stechow,, "Sts. Nereus and Achilleus in the Fifteenth Century" ''The Art Bulletin'' '''48'''.2 (June 1966:207–209).</ref> By the mid-nineteenth century, pious embroidery set Pancras's martyrdom in the arena among wild beasts, where the panther refrains from attacking and killing him until the martyr gives the beast permission. Devotion to Pancras existed from the fifth century onwards, for the ] was built by ] (498–514), on the place where the body of the young martyr had been buried; his earliest '']'' seems to have been written during this time.<ref name="San Pancrazio Martire"/> ] gave impetus to the cult of Pancras, sending ] to England carrying relics of that saint<ref></ref> and including his legend in ''Liber in gloria martyrum'' (for this reason, many English churches are dedicated to Pancras; ] in London is one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England).


In medieval iconography, Pancras was depicted as a young soldier, due to his association with the paired ]s Nereus and Achilleus.<ref>Eleanor P. Spencer and Wolfgang Stechow, "Sts. Nereus and Achilleus in the Fifteenth Century" ''The Art Bulletin'' '''48'''.2 (June 1966:207–209).</ref>
], ], Pancras of Rome and ] inside the ]]]
Pancras is popularly venerated as the ] of children, jobs and health. His name is also invoked against cramps, false witnesses, headaches and perjury. His image in statue form can be found in many bars, restaurants and other businesses. He is also the patron saint of the Italian city ]. Pancras is popularly venerated as the ] of children, jobs and health. His name is also invoked against cramps, false witnesses, headaches and perjury. His image in statue form can be found in many bars, restaurants and other businesses. He is also the patron saint of the Italian city ].


The ] had on 12 May a joint feast (semidouble rank) of Nereus, Achilleus and Pancras. The name of ] was added in 1595.<ref name=CR/> The joint celebration of Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras continued with that ranking (see ]) until the revision of 1960, when it was reclassified as a third-class feast (see ]). The ] had on 12 May a joint feast (semidouble rank) of Nereus, Achilleus and Pancras. The name of ] was added in 1595.<ref name=CR/> The joint celebration of Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras continued with that ranking (see ]) until the revision of 1960, when it was reclassified as a third-class feast (see ]).


In the present ], revised in 1969, Saints ] (together) and Saint Pancras have distinct celebrations (optional memorials) on 12 May. Saint Domitilla is not included in the revised calendar, because the liturgical honours once paid to her "have no basis in tradition".<ref name=CR>''Calendarium Romanum'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana), p. 123</ref> In the present ], revised in 1969, Saints ] (together) and Saint Pancras have distinct celebrations (optional memorials) on 12 May. Saint Domitilla is not included in the revised calendar, because the liturgical honours once paid to her "have no basis in tradition".<ref name=CR>''Calendarium Romanum'' (Libreria Editrice Vaticana), p. 123</ref>
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==See also== ==See also==
* ] * ]
* ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
*
* {{in lang|it}}
*http://www.heiligenlexikon.de/Legenda_Aurea/Pancratius.htm
* *


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] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
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] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 17:41, 1 January 2025

Child martyr of early Christianity For other uses, see St. Pancras (disambiguation).
Saint
Pancras of Rome
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona
Martyr
Bornc. 289
Synnada in Phrygia
(modern-day Şuhut, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey)
Died12 May 303 or 304 (aged 14)
Rome
Venerated in
Major shrineSan Pancrazio, Rome, Italy.
Feast12 May
AttributesRoman legion armour, martyr's palm branch, book, quill, sword

Pancras (Latin: Sanctus Pancratius) was a Roman citizen who converted to Christianity and was beheaded for his faith at the age of fourteen, around the year 304. His name is Greek (Πανκράτιος Pankrátios), meaning 'all-powerful'.

From an early period, Pancras was venerated together with Nereus and Achilleus in a shared feast day and Mass formula on 12 May. In 1595, 25 years after Pope Pius V promulgated the Tridentine Missal, Domitilla was also added.

Since 1969, Pancras has been venerated separately, still on 12 May. He is traditionally the second of the Ice Saints. In the Syriac traditions he is known as Mor Izozoel (Mar Azazael), remembered on 12 May and 12 August. He is the patron saint of children.

The London district of St Pancras, and by extension, the railway station of the same name, is named after St Pancras Old Church and St Pancras New Church.

Legend

Statue of Pancras in a church at Vranov, Moravia

Because he was said to have been martyred at the age of fourteen during the persecution under Diocletian, Pancras would have been born around 289, at a place designated as near Synnada, a city of Phrygia Salutaris, to parents of Roman citizenship. When Pancras was nine years old, his mother Cyriada died during childbirth; his father died of grief not long after. Pancras was entrusted to his uncle Dionysius' care. They both moved to Rome to live in a villa on the Caelian Hill. They were converted to Christianity by one Marcellinus, and Pancras became a zealous adherent of the religion. Dionysius subsequently died, leaving Pancras on his own.

During the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian, around 303 AD, he was brought before the authorities and asked to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods. Diocletian, impressed with the boy's determination to resist, promised him wealth and power, but Pancras refused, and finally the emperor ordered him to be beheaded on the Via Aurelia, on 12 May 303 AD. This traditional year of his martyrdom cannot be squared with the saint's defiance of Diocletian in Rome, which the emperor had not visited since 286, nor with the mention of Cornelius (251–253) as Bishop of Rome at the time of the martyrdom, as the most recent monograph on Pancras' texts and cult has pointed out.

A Roman matron named Octavilla recovered Pancras' body, covered it with balsam, wrapped it in precious linens, and buried it in a newly built sepulchre dug in the Catacombs of Rome. Pancras' head was placed in the reliquary that still exists today in the Basilica of Saint Pancras.

Veneration

Shrine to St Pancras, made in northern Germany, c. 1300

Devotion to Pancras existed from the fifth century onwards, for the basilica of Saint Pancras was built by Pope Symmachus (498–514), on the place where the body of the young martyr had been buried; his earliest passio seems to have been written during this time. Pope Gregory the Great gave impetus to the cult of Pancras, sending Augustine to England carrying relics of that saint and including his legend in Liber in gloria martyrum (for this reason, many English churches are dedicated to Pancras; St Pancras Old Church in London is one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England).

In medieval iconography, Pancras was depicted as a young soldier, due to his association with the paired soldier saints Nereus and Achilleus.

The frescoes of the saints Polycarp, Vincent of Saragossa, Pancras of Rome and Chrysogonus inside the Basilica of San Vitale

Pancras is popularly venerated as the patron saint of children, jobs and health. His name is also invoked against cramps, false witnesses, headaches and perjury. His image in statue form can be found in many bars, restaurants and other businesses. He is also the patron saint of the Italian city San Pancrazio Salentino.

The Tridentine calendar had on 12 May a joint feast (semidouble rank) of Nereus, Achilleus and Pancras. The name of Domitilla was added in 1595. The joint celebration of Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras continued with that ranking (see General Roman Calendar of 1954) until the revision of 1960, when it was reclassified as a third-class feast (see General Roman Calendar of 1960).

In the present General Roman Calendar, revised in 1969, Saints Nereus and Achilleus (together) and Saint Pancras have distinct celebrations (optional memorials) on 12 May. Saint Domitilla is not included in the revised calendar, because the liturgical honours once paid to her "have no basis in tradition".

See also

References

  1. "Ice Saints", Federal Office for Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss
  2. Phelan, Patrick. "Who is St Pancras?", St. Pancras Old Church
  3. Hubertus Drobner, Der heilige Pankratius: Leben, Legende und Verehrung 2nd rev. ed. 2005. (Paderborn:Bonifatius Verlag) is the most complete modern monograph on the texts and the spread of the cultus.
  4. ^ "San Pancrazio su santiebeati.it". Santiebeati.it. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  5. "St Pancras", Lewes Priory Trust
  6. Eleanor P. Spencer and Wolfgang Stechow, "Sts. Nereus and Achilleus in the Fifteenth Century" The Art Bulletin 48.2 (June 1966:207–209).
  7. ^ Calendarium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana), p. 123

External links

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