Christ Between St. Peter and St. Paul
Fourth century
Catacomb of Saints Marcellinus and Peter on the Via
Labicana
"This cemetery is also
called 'ad duos Lauros' from the ancient name of the locality which is
at the
third milestone on Via Labicana; and sometimes 'Sub Augusta' since it
is
near to an imperial villa belonging to Constantine.
"Here are buried the
martyrs,
Marcellinus the priest and Peter the exorcist, celebrated by pope
Damasus
(366-384) in a poem written in their honour, and placed near to their
tomb.
The pope attested to having heard the story of their martyrdom from the
mouth of the executioner himself, 'Tuos triumphos percussor retulit
Damaso
mihi cum puer essem'. Christ with the book of the Gospels is seated
between
Peter and Paul. Below, the Lamb is standing in the centre on a hill,
from
which flow out the four symbolic rivers of Scripture. To the sides are
the most venerated Martyrs, with their names: Gorgonius, Peter,
Marcellinus,
Tiburtius, all acclaiming the Lamb."
More of St. Peter
the Apostle
More of St. Paul
More of Christ in Majesty
Photo and quotation: The
'Christian Catacombs of Rome' Website