THE CHURCHES OF ST. SERGIUS AND BACCHUS IN ROME - ITALY In ancient times there were several churches dedicated to Sts. Sergius and Bacchus. 1 - S. Sergii et Bacchi sub Capitolio - built by Pope Agathon in 678, demolished in 1530. Remains of its apse were found in 1812. Now they are no more visible. (this church in an image by Rodolfo Lanciani - and its position in an ancient map) 2 - S. Sergii (et Bacchi) de Forma aka Iuxta Arcum Basili. It already existed under the Pope Leo III (795 - 816) with the name of Monasterium Sancti Sergii. No documents about this church are found after 1301. 3 - Sancti Sergii Palatii Caruli. In the ninth century it was transformed in a mansion for the Imperator's "Missus" (Ambassador), of which it possibly remained as a private chapel. 4 - S. Sergii (et Bacchi) de Subura aka in Callinico. This is the only existing church in Rome, although totally changed in its aspect. The church was built in the 8th century. In fact it already existed at the times of pope Leo III (795 - 816). The Liber Pontificalis states that Pope Paschal I (817-824) founded an oratory and a monastery dedicated to Sts Sergius and Bacchus here. In 1045 it was enthrusted to the Benidictine monks. It was rebuilt in 1563 on orders from Pope Paul III. Then Pope Urban VIII (1623 - 1644) entrusted it to the Basilian Ruthenian Monks who still possess it. The Church dedicated to Sts Sergius and Bacchus is at present the Ukrainian national church, of the Byzantine Ukrainian rite. It is in 3 Piazza Madonna dei Monti, Roma. The church is also known as the Madonna del Pascolo, after the image kept in the church. The 17th century aspect In 1641, Pope Urban VIII granted it to the Ruthenian Monks of St Basil, who built a college adjacent to the church. Some changes were also made to the church at that time. In 1969, it was made the national church of the Ukrainians. The college was turned into a hospice for Ukrainian pilgrims. It was rebuilt again by Francesco Ferrari in the 18th century. Some changes were made by E. Banali at the end of that century. Actual aspect The Neo-Classical façade was rebuilt in 1896, and restored in 1970. The inscription on the lower of the three levels record the work done in 1641, mentioning Antonio Cardinal Barberini as the donor. The arms of the Barberini and the Basiliani families are on the middle level. There are two side altars; one with a depiction of Sts Sergius and Bacchus, and one with St Basil, both by Ignazio Stern. The church is under Byzantine Ukrainian jurisdiction. It is in full communion with the Holy Father. The feast of Sts Sergius and Bacchus is celebrated on 24 February.

ST. SERGIUS PATRON OF DRAPIA - ITALY Drapia is a small village with 2181 inhabitants, in Vibo Valentia province, Calabria. In the 8th century the Basilian monks built on the slope their monastery that was named after Saints Sergius and Bacchus. When the Basilians quit the monastery in 1421, the bishop gave it to the Franciscan friars, and the devotion of Sts Sergius and Bacchus was carried on. February 5, 1783, the Franciscan convent was totally destroyed by a heartquake and only the very beautiful and precious tabernacle was rescued, and now stands in the parish church of Drapia. The wooden statue of Saint Sergius, carrying the parish church model in his hand, seems to have been made in the 19th century.

HOLY PICTURE - PRIVATE COLLECTION - ITALY A rare wood carving ( xilography) depicting Sts Sergius and Bacchus (first row), with Sts Marcellus and Apuleius Martyrs. The sheet measures 8 x 12,5 cm. Printed in Milano by the Regio Stabilimento Nazionale-Ripamonti Carpano in 1875. In the back of the sheet continues the narration of the martyrs life and some peculiar deeds of the Saints.

ROME - VATICAN CITY - LIBRARY An eleventh-century illustrated capital incunabula. Metaphrastes' lives of the saints. It shows Saints Serge and Bacchus joined in the capital letter, as they had been in life. From Vatican Greek 1679, folio 48 verso. (If you have a better reproduction, please send it to us. Thank you.) The holy martyrs Sergius and Bacchus - Terminology of Basil II Constantinople - Year 985 (If you have a color reproduction, please send it to us. Thank you.)

RELIQUARY OF SAINTS SERGIUS AND BACCHUS CHIOGGIA - ITALY They were made in the first half of the XIV century by Venetian jewelers, in ciseled, embossed and gilded silver. They are about 58 cm tall and 7 cm wide. They are in the Sacristy of the Church of S. Maria Assunta in Chioggia, near Venice.