About Saint Pancras:
Saint Pancras, a 14-year-old Christian martyr from Phrygia (modern Turkey), beheaded in 304 AD under Emperor Diocletian for refusing to worship pagan gods. His body was reportedly recovered by a Roman matron, Ottavilla, and buried in a nearby cemetery, later named the Catacomb of San Pancrazio.
Saint Pancras is venerated as the patron saint of children, jobs, health, and against false witnesses, cramps, headaches, and perjury.
We celebrate the Feast of Saint Pancras on May 12.
About The Basilica of Saint Pancras (San Pancrazio) in Rome:
The Basilica was built in the 6th-century over a small 4th-century shrine founded by Pope Symmachus (498–514) on the site where Pancras was buried and was rebuilt by Pope Honorius I (625–638 AD), with the current structure largely reflecting this 7th-century design.
The Basilica was abandoned for long periods, looted by Napoleon’s troops in 1798), destroyed by Garibaldians in 1849 defending the Roman Republic and the relics of Saint Pancras were desecrated and lost. Much restoration work has been done, and some continues to this day The Basilica of Saint Pancras has been managed by the Discalced Carmelites since 1662, with an adjacent convent and is a titular church, with Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera as the current Cardinal Priest.
A small relic from the head of Saint Pancras, sourced from St. John Lateran, is now enshrined under the high altar in a bust reliquary.
Restored multiple times, notably in the 17th century (wooden coffered ceiling, 1627) and 19th century, with a modern ciborium added in 1959 using recycled medieval porphyry columns. A large cycle of frescoes on the life of Saint Pancras in the right chapel, attributed to Antonio Tempesta.
The left chapel houses a painting “Ecstasy of Santa Teresa d’Avila” by Palma il Giovane.
A main column is inscribed “Hic decollatus fuit Sanctus Pancratius” (“Here St. Pancras was beheaded”).
The Catacomb of San Pancrazio (or di Ottavilla):
Located beneath the basilica, the catacomb is accessed via a steep stairway between the third and fourth pillars of the right nave. These well-preserved catacombs, used during Christian persecutions, contain both pagan and early Christian inscriptions and are open for guided tours (check their website for current hours).
Traveling to The Basilica of Saint Pancras (San Pancrazio) in Rome:
The basilica is less visited by tourists, making it a hidden gem with a rich history and serene setting. It is located in the Gianicolense quarter, just west of Trastevere, near Villa Doria Pamphilj and the Janiculum Hill, beyond the Porta San Pancrazio in the Aurelian Wall.
Address: Piazza di S. Pancrazio, 5D, 00152 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 (06^ 4420 8069
Click here for the official website of The Basilica of Saint Pancras (San Pancrazio) in Rome.