San Prassede
Church of San Prassede, built by Pope Paschal II, 9th century B.C., granite, stone. The exterior façade is unassuming; it’s a plain concrete building with a large door. However, inside the church contains apse decorated by Byzantine artists. Pope Paschal II commissioned a team of mosaicists to complete the story Santa Prassede in relation to Jesus on the apse of the church. These mosaics are very vivid, jewel-colored. Most of the mosaic is found in the Chapel of St. Zeno, which Pope Paschal II had built for his mother, Theodora. This church was built to house the remains of Santa Prassede and Santa Pudenziana. The bones from the catacombs were dug up and brought to this church. This church was built during the Carolingian Renaissance and it was Pope Paschal II’s mission to return to the foundations Christianity theologically and artistically. This is evident in the mosaics found throughout the church- specifically the Chapel of St. Zeno. The chapel has mosaics featuring Pope Paschal II offering the church to Jesus. It has Jesus in the center, by his side Saints Peter and Paul, who present Santa Prassede and Prudenziana to God. I chose this specific work because it is the most aesthetically pleasing to me. The mosaics are gorgeous and I like the style of the faces. The church is inconspicuous from the outside. Nonetheless, in the inside it holds many treasures. The Romans most likely responded favorably to this church as it is very visually pleasing, and it helps depict the story of Jesus in an uplifting way.
Nicole Erazo, Survey of Art and Architecture, University of Florida
San Prassede
S. Prassede’s land dates back to a shrine in 150 A.D., the first church was built on this site in fifth century, and the current church dates back to the 820’s. Paschal decided to have the church remodeled in the ninth century. This church is home to the oldest mosaic known which was made from clear or colored glass fused with gold. The exterior of S. Prassede is quite plain, and could easily be overlooked, its outside presence is not as prominent as most churches. However, the inside is a masterpiece. From the first mosaics, filled with color, acuteness, and detail, to the entire décor of the interior it is beautiful like all restored Roman churches. The mosaics on the wall depict stories of the church. I found the mosaic with Pope Paschal’s mother, Theodora, to be the most interesting story. It seems as though the church is trying to hide the fact that she may have been a bishop because today a woman would not be allowed. Beneath Theodora’s painting was “Episcopa” which transfers to the word Bishop. Roma Amor tells us the practice of women as overseers was common in the early church. The initial shrine was made to honor S. Prassede and S. Pudenziana. However, S. Pudenziana has her own church dedicated to her now so the S. Prassede is dedicated to only S. Prassede. The Christian church facilitated the creation of the church and then later Paschal, Charlemagne’s successor, ordered the church to be redone. Today, both sisters have been stripped of their titles as Saints, the church now claims there is no proof they offered refuge to Christians being persecuted. I chose the S. Prassede because I found the story of Theodora as well as the saints being stripped of their sainthood to be very intriguing as well as the mosaics to be marvelous. I feel that the church does not want to publicize that there was a time over a thousand years ago when women could hold higher positions than today. At the time the church and original shrine were constructed I feel Christians responded positively towards the dedication to people who helped protect Christians from being persecuted and were awestruck by the exquisite mosaics telling their stories. I assume dislike came from those who were not Christian such as the Empire.
Krystyna Lijek, Survey of Art and Architecture, St. John’s University
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