Agnes: Martyr at Rome
Churches around the world and throughout history are named to honor and to guard the precious memory of the canonized saints and martyrs. Agnes, a young girl from 3rd Century Rome, is one of those. St. Agnes' Episcopal Church in Cowan, Tennessee is one of hundreds around the world to carry her beloved name.
Legend holds and history suggests that Agnes was born in the Year 291 into a noble family. The Prefect Sempronius chose Agnes to be his future bride, but when he proposed to her she refused. Sempronius was a pagan, and his pride was hurt by Agnes' refusal to court him.
When pressed for a reason, Agnes told Sempronius that she already had a "Spouse". He soon found out that the "Spouse" Agnes claimed as her own was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. To get back at her, he reported her to the authorities for being a Christian.
Agnes was brought to trial and asked by the judge to make a ritual offering to the goddess Vesta. When Agnes refused, she was sentenced to live in a brothel.
She was brought back to trial after living in the brothel and given a final opportunity to renounce her Christian faith and be released. She refused and was killed by the sword of a Roman soldier. She was only 12 years old at the time.
Pope Demasus, elected in the Year 366, wrote a hymn about Agnes that tells the story of her life and her tragic death. The Emperor Constantine, who converted to Christianity, authorized his daughter Constanza to build a basilica over Agnes' grave.
St. Agnes' Basilica outside of Rome, Italy is one of the oldest chapels in the entire world. Agnes' grave is preserved under the church, though part of her remains are in a catacomb inside the church itself.
The Feast of St. Agnes: Martyr at Rome was added to the Roman calendar in the Year 354 and is celebrated on January 21st.
The Name "Agnes"
The name Agnes comes from the Latin word agnus, which means "lamb", and a similar word in Greek, hagne, which means "pure". The name, therefore, not only refers to the young martyr of Rome, but also refers directly to Jesus.
When John the Baptist first saw Jesus in person, he referred to him as the "Lamb of God", which is recorded in the Gospel of John, CChapter 1 verse 29.
Therefore, churches that carry the name are quick to mention that the name Agnes is a dual-reference: Agnes of Rome being one, and Jesus as the "Lamb of God" being the other.
Legend holds and history suggests that Agnes was born in the Year 291 into a noble family. The Prefect Sempronius chose Agnes to be his future bride, but when he proposed to her she refused. Sempronius was a pagan, and his pride was hurt by Agnes' refusal to court him.
When pressed for a reason, Agnes told Sempronius that she already had a "Spouse". He soon found out that the "Spouse" Agnes claimed as her own was none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. To get back at her, he reported her to the authorities for being a Christian.
Agnes was brought to trial and asked by the judge to make a ritual offering to the goddess Vesta. When Agnes refused, she was sentenced to live in a brothel.
She was brought back to trial after living in the brothel and given a final opportunity to renounce her Christian faith and be released. She refused and was killed by the sword of a Roman soldier. She was only 12 years old at the time.
Pope Demasus, elected in the Year 366, wrote a hymn about Agnes that tells the story of her life and her tragic death. The Emperor Constantine, who converted to Christianity, authorized his daughter Constanza to build a basilica over Agnes' grave.
St. Agnes' Basilica outside of Rome, Italy is one of the oldest chapels in the entire world. Agnes' grave is preserved under the church, though part of her remains are in a catacomb inside the church itself.
The Feast of St. Agnes: Martyr at Rome was added to the Roman calendar in the Year 354 and is celebrated on January 21st.
The Name "Agnes"
The name Agnes comes from the Latin word agnus, which means "lamb", and a similar word in Greek, hagne, which means "pure". The name, therefore, not only refers to the young martyr of Rome, but also refers directly to Jesus.
When John the Baptist first saw Jesus in person, he referred to him as the "Lamb of God", which is recorded in the Gospel of John, CChapter 1 verse 29.
Therefore, churches that carry the name are quick to mention that the name Agnes is a dual-reference: Agnes of Rome being one, and Jesus as the "Lamb of God" being the other.
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Here is an Amazing Homily about Agnes
Click on the provided YouTube link and listen to an amazing homily about St. Agnes. The speaker is The Right Reverend Jo Bailey Wells, a Bishop in the Church of England. The service took place at Christ Church Cathedral in Nashville, Tennessee on January 21, 2017. |
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The Prayer we say on January 21st:
Almighty and everlasting God, who dost choose those whom the world deems powerless to put the powerful to shame: Grant us so to cherish the memory of thy youthful martyr Agnes, that we may share her pure and steadfast faith in thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, who dost choose those whom the world deems powerless to put the powerful to shame: Grant us so to cherish the memory of thy youthful martyr Agnes, that we may share her pure and steadfast faith in thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Emerentiana: Martyr of Rome
Agnes had a foster sister named Emerentiana.
Just days after Agnes was buried, Emerentiana publicly criticized the Roman government for killing an innocent woman. She was subsequently stoned to death.
For over 1,400 years the story of Emerentiana was dismissed as legend. Then, in the 19th Century, the famous Italian archivist Armanelli found her grave only a short distance from St. Agnes' Basilica.
The feast of St. Emerentiana: Martyr at Rome is celebrated on January 23rd, just two days after the feast of St. Agnes.
Just days after Agnes was buried, Emerentiana publicly criticized the Roman government for killing an innocent woman. She was subsequently stoned to death.
For over 1,400 years the story of Emerentiana was dismissed as legend. Then, in the 19th Century, the famous Italian archivist Armanelli found her grave only a short distance from St. Agnes' Basilica.
The feast of St. Emerentiana: Martyr at Rome is celebrated on January 23rd, just two days after the feast of St. Agnes.
