Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Encyclopedia
The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem is a Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica
in Rome
, Italy
. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome
.
According to tradition, the basilica was consecrated around 325 to house the Passion Relics
brought to Rome from the Holy Land by St. Helena of Constantinople
, mother of the Roman Emperor
Constantine I. At that time, the basilica floor was covered with soil from Jerusalem, thus acquiring the title in Hierusalem - it is not dedicated to the Holy Cross which is in Jerusalem, but the church itself is "in Jerusalem" in the sense that a "piece" of Jerusalem was moved to Rome for its foundation. The current Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Crucis in Hierusalem is Miloslav Vlk.
(1144-1145). In the occasion it assumed a Romanesque
appearance, with a nave and two aisles, a belfry and a porch.
The church was also modified in the 16th century, but it assumed its current Baroque appearance under Benedict XIV
(1740-1758), who had been the titular of the basilica prior to his elevation to the papacy. New streets were also opened to connect the church to two other major Roman basilicas, San Giovanni in Laterano and Santa Maria Maggiore. The façade of Santa Croce, designed by Pietro Passalacqua and Domenico Gregorini, shares the typical late Roman Baroque
taste with these other basilicas.
, following the results of an apostolic visitation prompted by years of serious problems, including significant liturgical abuses. According to a Vatican spokesman, "An inquiry found evidence of liturgical and financial irregularities as well as lifestyles that were probably not in keeping with that of a monk." According to Il Messaggero
, Simone Fioraso, an abbot
described as a "flamboyant former Milan fashion designer", "transformed the church, renovating its crumbling interior and opening a hotel, holding regular concerts, a televised bible-reading marathon and regularly attracting celebrity visitors with an unconventional approach."
, i.e. the panel which was hung on Christ's Cross (generally either ignored by scholars or considered to be a medieval forgery.); two thorns of the crown
; an incomplete nail; and three small wooden pieces of the True Cross
itself. A much larger piece of the cross was taken from Santa Croce in Gerusalemme to St. Peter's Basilica
on the instructions of Pope Urban VIII
in 1629 - where it is kept near the colossal 1639 statue of St. Helena by Andrea Bolgi
.
Other relics enshrined in the Chapel include:
dispersed, whence the name in Hierusalem of the basilica. In the vault is a mosaic designed by Melozzo da Forlì
(before 1485), depicting Jesus Blessing, Histories of the Cross and various saints. The altar has a huge statue of St. Helena, which was obtained from an ancient statue of Juno
discovered at Ostia. Mediaeval pilgrim guides noted that the chapel was considered so holy, that access to the chapel by women was forbidden.
and Marco Palmezzano
. The Museum of the Basilica houses a mosaic icon
from the 14th century: according to the legend, Pope Gregory I
had it made after a vision of Christ. Notable is also the tomb of Cardinal Francisco de los Ángeles Quiñones, by Jacopo Sansovino
(1536).
Peter Paul Rubens, who had arrived in Rome by way of Mantua
in 1601, was commissioned by Archduke Albert of Austria
to paint an altarpiece with three panels for the chapel St. Helena. Two of these paintings, St. Helena with the True Cross and The Mocking of Christ, are now in Grasse
, France
. The third, The Elevation of the Cross, is lost. Before his marriage, the archduke had been made a cardinal in this church.
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It is one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome
Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome
The Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome are seven churches in Rome, which are visited by pilgrims in order to gain indulgences. The churches include the four patriarchal basilicas:*San Pietro in Vaticano*San Giovanni in Laterano*San Paolo fuori le mura...
.
According to tradition, the basilica was consecrated around 325 to house the Passion Relics
Passion (Christianity)
The Passion is the Christian theological term used for the events and suffering – physical, spiritual, and mental – of Jesus in the hours before and including his trial and execution by crucifixion...
brought to Rome from the Holy Land by St. Helena of Constantinople
Helena of Constantinople
Saint Helena also known as Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople was the consort of Emperor Constantius, and the mother of Emperor Constantine I...
, mother of the Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Constantine I. At that time, the basilica floor was covered with soil from Jerusalem, thus acquiring the title in Hierusalem - it is not dedicated to the Holy Cross which is in Jerusalem, but the church itself is "in Jerusalem" in the sense that a "piece" of Jerusalem was moved to Rome for its foundation. The current Cardinal Priest of the Titulus S. Crucis in Hierusalem is Miloslav Vlk.
History
The church is built around a room in St. Helena's imperial palace, Palazzo Sessoriano, which she adapted to a chapel around the year 320. Some decades later, the chapel was turned into a true basilica, called the Heleniana or Sessoriana. After falling into neglect, the church was restored by Pope Lucius IIPope Lucius II
Pope Lucius II , born Gherardo Caccianemici dal Orso, was pope from March 9, 1144, until his death Feb 15, 1145. His pontificate was notable for the unrest in Rome associated with the Commune of Rome, and its attempts to wrest control of the city from the papacy.-Early life:Gherardo Caccianemici...
(1144-1145). In the occasion it assumed a Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
appearance, with a nave and two aisles, a belfry and a porch.
The church was also modified in the 16th century, but it assumed its current Baroque appearance under Benedict XIV
Pope Benedict XIV
Pope Benedict XIV , born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, was Pope from 17 August 1740 to 3 May 1758.-Life:...
(1740-1758), who had been the titular of the basilica prior to his elevation to the papacy. New streets were also opened to connect the church to two other major Roman basilicas, San Giovanni in Laterano and Santa Maria Maggiore. The façade of Santa Croce, designed by Pietro Passalacqua and Domenico Gregorini, shares the typical late Roman Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
taste with these other basilicas.
21st century
In May 2011, the Cistercian abbey linked to the basilica was suppressed by a decree of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic LifeCongregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for everything which concerns institutes of consecrated life and Society of Apostolic Life regarding their government, discipline, studies, goods, rights, and...
, following the results of an apostolic visitation prompted by years of serious problems, including significant liturgical abuses. According to a Vatican spokesman, "An inquiry found evidence of liturgical and financial irregularities as well as lifestyles that were probably not in keeping with that of a monk." According to Il Messaggero
Il Messaggero
Il Messaggero is an Italian newspaper based in Rome, Italy, founded in 1878.It is owned by the Italian publishing company Caltagirone Editore, and its leaders include Azzurra Caltagirone, the partner of the political leader Pierferdinando Casini, on its board...
, Simone Fioraso, an abbot
Abbot
The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...
described as a "flamboyant former Milan fashion designer", "transformed the church, renovating its crumbling interior and opening a hotel, holding regular concerts, a televised bible-reading marathon and regularly attracting celebrity visitors with an unconventional approach."
Passion relics
Several well-known relics of disputed authenticity are housed in the Cappella delle Reliquie, built in 1930 by architect Florestano di Fausto. They include: a part of the Elogium or Titulus CrucisTitulus Crucis
Titulus Crucis is a piece of wood, claimed to be a relic of the True Cross, kept in the church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome. Christian tradition claims that the relic is half of the cross's titulus and a portion of the True Cross...
, i.e. the panel which was hung on Christ's Cross (generally either ignored by scholars or considered to be a medieval forgery.); two thorns of the crown
Crown of Thorns
In Christianity, the Crown of Thorns, one of the instruments of the Passion, was woven of thorn branches and placed on Jesus Christ before his crucifixion...
; an incomplete nail; and three small wooden pieces of the True Cross
True Cross
The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.According to post-Nicene historians, Socrates Scholasticus and others, the Empress Helena The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a...
itself. A much larger piece of the cross was taken from Santa Croce in Gerusalemme to St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
on the instructions of Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions...
in 1629 - where it is kept near the colossal 1639 statue of St. Helena by Andrea Bolgi
Andrea Bolgi
Andrea Bolgi was an Italian sculptor responsible for several statues in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. Towards the end of his life he moved to Naples, where he sculpted portrait busts.-Early life:...
.
Other relics enshrined in the Chapel include:
- A large fragment of the Good Thief's cross;
- The bone of an index finger, said to be the finger of St. Thomas that he placed in the wounds of the Risen Christ
- A single reliquary containing small pieces of: the Scourging Pillar (to which Christ was tied as he was beaten); the Holy Sepulchre (Christ's tomb); and the crib of Jesus
- Some fragments of the grotto of BethlehemBethlehemBethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
.
Chapel of St. Helena
The relics were once in the ancient St. Helena's Chapel, which is partly under ground level. Here the founder of the church had some earth from CalvaryCalvary
Calvary or Golgotha was the site, outside of ancient Jerusalem’s early first century walls, at which the crucifixion of Jesus is said to have occurred. Calvary and Golgotha are the English names for the site used in Western Christianity...
dispersed, whence the name in Hierusalem of the basilica. In the vault is a mosaic designed by Melozzo da Forlì
Melozzo da Forlì
Melozzo da Forlì was an Italian Renaissance painter and architect. His fresco paintings are notable for the use of foreshortening. He was the most important member of the Forlì painting school.- Biography :...
(before 1485), depicting Jesus Blessing, Histories of the Cross and various saints. The altar has a huge statue of St. Helena, which was obtained from an ancient statue of Juno
Juno (mythology)
Juno is an ancient Roman goddess, the protector and special counselor of the state. She is a daughter of Saturn and sister of the chief god Jupiter and the mother of Mars and Vulcan. Juno also looked after the women of Rome. Her Greek equivalent is Hera...
discovered at Ostia. Mediaeval pilgrim guides noted that the chapel was considered so holy, that access to the chapel by women was forbidden.
Other artworks
The apse of church includes frescoes telling the Legends of the True Cross, attributed to Melozzo, to Antoniazzo RomanoAntoniazzo Romano
Antoniazzo Romano, born Antonio di Benedetto Aquilo degli Aquili was an Italian Early Renaissance painter, the leading figure of the Roman school during the 15th century.-Biography:...
and Marco Palmezzano
Marco Palmezzano
Marco Palmezzano was an Italian painter and architect, belonging to the Forlì painting school, who painted in a style recalling earlier Northern Renaissance models, and was mostly active near Forlì.-Biography:...
. The Museum of the Basilica houses a mosaic icon
Icon
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Christianity and in certain Eastern Catholic churches...
from the 14th century: according to the legend, Pope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I , better known in English as Gregory the Great, was pope from 3 September 590 until his death...
had it made after a vision of Christ. Notable is also the tomb of Cardinal Francisco de los Ángeles Quiñones, by Jacopo Sansovino
Jacopo Sansovino
Jacopo d'Antonio Sansovino was an Italian sculptor and architect, known best for his works around the Piazza San Marco in Venice. Andrea Palladio, in the Preface to his Quattro Libri was of the opinion that Sansovino's Biblioteca Marciana was the best building erected since Antiquity...
(1536).
Peter Paul Rubens, who had arrived in Rome by way of Mantua
Mantua
Mantua is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province of the same name. Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, made it one of the main artistic, cultural and notably musical hubs of Northern Italy and the country as a whole...
in 1601, was commissioned by Archduke Albert of Austria
Albert VII, Archduke of Austria
Archduke Albert VII of Austria was, jointly with his wife, the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia, sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands between 1598 and 1621, ruling the Habsburg territories in the southern Low Countries and the north of modern France...
to paint an altarpiece with three panels for the chapel St. Helena. Two of these paintings, St. Helena with the True Cross and The Mocking of Christ, are now in Grasse
Grasse
-See also:*Route Napoléon*Ancient Diocese of Grasse*Communes of the Alpes-Maritimes department-External links:*...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. The third, The Elevation of the Cross, is lost. Before his marriage, the archduke had been made a cardinal in this church.
Cardinal Priests of the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem since 1120
- Amicus (1120-1121/22)
- Gerardo CaccianemiciPope Lucius IIPope Lucius II , born Gherardo Caccianemici dal Orso, was pope from March 9, 1144, until his death Feb 15, 1145. His pontificate was notable for the unrest in Rome associated with the Commune of Rome, and its attempts to wrest control of the city from the papacy.-Early life:Gherardo Caccianemici...
(1123-1144) - Ubaldo CaccianemiciUbaldo CaccianemiciUbaldo Caccianemici was an Italian cardinal and cardinal-nephew of Pope Lucius II, his cousin who elevated him in May or June 1144....
(1144-1170/71) - Ardoino da PiacenzaArdoino da PiacenzaArdoino da Piacenza was an Italian cardinal. Hi first name is listed also as Arduino.He was archdeacon of the cathedral chapter of Piacenza and member of the Order of Canons Regular de San Frediano di Lucca. Pope Alexander III created him Cardinal in the consistory celebrated in Frascati in 1178...
(1178-1183) - AlbinusAlbinus (cardinal)Albinus was an Italian Cardinal of the late twelfth century. An Augustinian regular canon, he was Bishop of Albano from 1189 to 1197....
(1185-1189) - Leone Brancaleone (1202-1224)
- Pietro d'Aquila (1294-1298)
- Teodorico RanieriTeodorico RanieriTeodorico Ranieri of Orvieto was an Italian cardinal. He was archbishop of Pisa, and bishop of Palestrina.In 1298 Ranieri was instrumental in the destruction of the city of Palestrina on the orders of Pope Boniface VIII, following the anti-papal revolt of the Colonna family...
(1298–1299) - Raymond de Canillac (1350–1361)
- Guy de Malesec (1375–1384)
- Cosma Gentile Migliorati (1389–1404)
- Giovanni Migliorati (1405–1410)
- Francesco Lando (1411–1424)
- Niccolò AlbergatiNiccolò AlbergatiNiccolò Albergati was an Italian Cardinal and diplomat.Born in Bologna, he entered the Carthusian order in 1394, at the age of twenty...
(1426–1433) - Domenico CapranicaDomenico CapranicaDomenico Capranica was an Italian theologian, canonist, statesman, and Cardinal.He was born in Capranica Prenestina. After studies in canon and civil law at Padua and Bologna, under teachers probably including Giuliano Cesarini, he received the title of Doctor of Both Laws at the age of twenty-one...
(1444–1458) - Angelo Capranica (1460–1472)
- Pedro González de MendozaPedro González de MendozaPedro González de Mendoza was a Spanish cardinal and statesman.-Biography:He was born at Guadalajara in New Castile, the chief lordship of his family. He was the fourth son of Íñigo López de Mendoza, marqués de Santillana, deceased 1458, and one of the cadet brothers of Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 1...
(1478–1495) - Bernardino López de CarvajalBernardino López de CarvajalBernardino López de Carvajal was a Spanish Cardinal.He was a nephew of Cardinal Juan Carvajal, and advanced rapidly in the ecclesiastical career at Rome, whither he came during the pontificate of Pope Sixtus IV...
(1495–1507); in commendamIn CommendamIn canon law, commendam was a form of transferring an ecclesiastical benefice in trust to the custody of a patron...
(1507–1511) - Antonio Maria Ciocchi del Monte, in commendam (1511–1527)
- Francisco de los Ángeles Quiñones (1527–1540)
- Marcello Cervini (1540–1555)
- Bartolomé de la Cueva de Albuquerque (1555–1562)
- Giovanni Antonio Capizucchi (1562–1565)
- Francisco Pacheco de ToledoFrancisco Pacheco de ToledoFrancisco Pacheco de Toledo was a Spanish cardinal.- Life :He was admitted to the court of Charles V and Philip II of Spain. In 1545 he joined his uncle, cardinal Pedro Pacheco de Villena, on a trip to Rome, where the younger man won the admiration of pope Julius III, who made him a canon of...
(1565–1579) - Albert VII, Archduke of AustriaAlbert VII, Archduke of AustriaArchduke Albert VII of Austria was, jointly with his wife, the Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia, sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands between 1598 and 1621, ruling the Habsburg territories in the southern Low Countries and the north of modern France...
(1580–1598) - Francisco de Múxica Guzmán de Avila (1599–1606)
- Ascanio Colonna (1606)
- Antonio Zapata y CisnerosAntonio Zapata y CisnerosAntonio Zapata y Cisneros was a Spanish bishop, archbishop and cardinal-priest of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, as well as councillor to Philip III of Spain, viceroy of Naples and inquisitor general of Spain...
(1606–1616) - Gaspar de Borja y VelascoGaspar de Borja y VelascoGaspar de Borja y Velasco was a Spanish cardinal, ecclesiastic and politician. He belonged to the house of Borgia and served as Primate of Spain, Archbishop of Seville, Archbishop of Toledo and viceroy of Naples.-Family:Borja was born at Villalpando...
(1616–1630) - Baltasar Moscoso y Sandoval (1630–1665)
- Alfonso LittaAlfonso LittaAlfonso Michele Litta was an Italian cardinal, an archbishop of Milan and Papal governor of the Marches.-See also:* Litta...
(1666–1679) - Johann Eberhard Neidhardt SJ (1679–1681)
- Decio Azzolino the youngerDecio AzzolinoDecio Azzolino , generally known as the Younger, was an Italian cardinal.He was born at Fermo, the son of Pompeo Azzolino and Giulia Ruffo, and great-nephew of Cardinal Decio Azzolino the Elder. He received doctorates in philosophy, juridics and theology from Fermo University...
(1681–1683) - vacant (1683–1689)
- Pedro de Salazar (1689–1706)
- Ulisse Giuseppe GozzadiniUlisse Giuseppe GozzadiniUlisse Giuseppe Gozzadini was an Italian Cardinal who served as bishop of Imola.Gozzadini was born in Bologna and was of a patrician family. He was the son of Palatine Count Marcantonio Gozzadini and Ginevra Leoni...
(1709–1728) - Prospero LambertiniPope Benedict XIVPope Benedict XIV , born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, was Pope from 17 August 1740 to 3 May 1758.-Life:...
(1728–1740) - Giuseppe Firrao (1740–1744)
- Gioacchino Bessozzi] (1744–1755)
- Luca Melchiore Tempi (1757–1762)
- Lodovico Valenti (1762–1763)
- vacant (1763–1766)
- Nicola Serra (1766–1767)
- vacant (1767–1775)
- Antonio Eugenio Visconti (1775–1788)
- František de Paula Hrzán z Harras (1788–1804)
- vacant (1804–1816)
- Alessandro Malvasia (1816–1819)
- Placido Zurla(1823–1834)
- Alessandro Giustiniani (1834–1843)
- Antonio Maria Cagiano de AzevedoAntonio Maria Cagiano de AzevedoAntonio Maria Cagiano de Azevedo was a Catholic Cardinal and held a number of significant legal positions within the Catholic Church during the 19th century.-Personal life:...
(1844–1854) - János Scitovszky (1854–1866)
- Raffaele Monaco La Valletta (1868–1884)
- Lucido Maria Parocchi (1884–1889)
- Pierre-Lambert Goossens (1889–1906)
- Benedetto LorenzelliBenedetto LorenzelliBenedetto Lorenzelli was am Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Studies from 1914 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1907.-Biography:...
(1907–1915) - Willem Marinus van Rossum (1915–1932)
- Pietro Fumasoni BiondiPietro Fumasoni BiondiPietro Fumasoni Biondi was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith in the Roman Curia from 1933 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1933.-Biography:Pietro Fumasoni Biondi was born in Rome...
(1933–1960) - Giuseppe Antonio FerrettoGiuseppe FerrettoGiuseppe Antonio Ferretto was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Major Penitentiary in the Roman Curia from 1967 to 1973, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1961.-Biography:...
(1961) - Efrem ForniEfrem ForniEfrem Forni was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Nuncio to Belgium and Internuncio to Luxembourg from 1953 to 1962, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1962.-Biography:...
(1962–1976) - Victor RazafimahatratraVictor RazafimahatratraVictor Razafimahatratra, SJ was a Malagasy Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Antananarivo from 1976 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1976.-Biography:...
(1976–1993) - Miloslav Vlk (1994-incumbent)