St. Pudentiana
Dating suggestions vary
from 8th to 11th centuries
Marble
Protyrum
(see
photo) of the Church of Santa Pudenziana
The inscription reads "VIRGO PVDENTIANA CORAM
STAT LAMPADE PLENA. PROTEGE
PRECLARA NOS VIRGO PVDENTIANA." The first
sentence means, "The virgin Pudentiana stands before [us] with her lamp
full," a reference to the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew
25:1-13 (cached). The
second sentence means, "Illustrious Virgin Pudentiana, protect us."
More of St. Pudentiana
Photographed at the
site by Richard Stracke