Praxedes
Praxedes was a Roman saint and virgin of the 2nd century, known for her charitable work and care for persecuted Christians. Along with her sister Pudentiana, she provided for the poor, ministered to those in prison, and buried martyrs. Her veneration began in the 4th century, and numerous churches have been dedicated to her.
- Feast Day
- July 21
- Century
- 2nd century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Praxedes was a saint and virgin who lived in the Roman Empire during the 2nd century.
- ›She and her sister Pudentiana inherited their family's fortune and used it to support the poor and persecuted Christians.
- ›Praxedes provided care, comfort, and financial support to Christians, hid many in her home, and ministered to them in prison.
- ›She and her sister Pudentiana died in 165 AD.
- ›They were venerated as martyrs in Rome starting during the 4th century.
- ›The Basilica of Saint Praxedes in Rome was built on the site of her home.
a Roman maiden
Sponge With Martyr's Blood
About Praxedes
Praxedes was a Roman saint and virgin who lived during the 2nd century, venerated for her charitable works and devotion to early Christians. Her life and legacy are closely intertwined with those of her sister, Pudentiana, and their family.
Life and Historical Context
Praxedes was the daughter of Pudens, a Roman senator who was a Christian convert of Peter. Following her father's conversion, Praxedes, her sister Pudentiana, and their entire family embraced Christianity. Upon inheriting their family's fortune, Praxedes and Pudentiana dedicated themselves to aiding the poor and offering support to persecuted Christians and martyrs during a period of intense religious strife in the Roman Empire. They provided material aid, comfort, encouragement, and even shelter in Praxedes's home. They also ministered to Christians in prison and were known for burying the bodies of martyrs.
Praxedes and Pudentiana both died in 165 AD, with Praxedes being only 16 years old. The Catholic Encyclopedia refers to them as "martyrs of an unknown era." Their veneration as martyrs began in Rome during the 4th century.
Burial and Relics
Praxedes, her sister Pudentiana, and their father Pudens were buried in the Catacomb of Priscilla, an important archaeological site used for Christian burials from the late 2nd through the 4th centuries. Their presence there is noted in 7th-century itineraries of Roman martyrs. Later, their relics were translated to the Basilica of Saint Praxedes in Rome. This basilica, built in the 4th century on the site of Praxedes's home, was rebuilt by Pope Paschal I between 817 and 824, who also moved the sisters' relics there. A portion of the central nave's floor in the basilica is designated as the location of their relics.
Veneration and Iconography
The veneration of Saint Praxedes, alongside her sister, gained prominence starting in the 4th century, leading to the dedication of numerous churches in her honor. Art historian Margaret E. Tabor notes that churches dedicated to both sisters are significant in Rome. In the apse mosaic of the Basilica of Saint Praxedes, two female figures offering crowns to Christ are believed to represent Praxedes and Pudentiana. Praxedes is iconographically depicted in the basilica squeezing the blood of martyrs, collected in a sponge, into a vessel, symbolizing her active role in caring for and commemorating them.
Feast Day
The feast day of Saint Praxedes is observed on July 21.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Saint Praxedes?
Saint Praxedes was a Roman saint and virgin who lived during the 2nd century. She is known for her charitable works and care for persecuted Christians.
What did Praxedes and her sister Pudentiana do?
Along with her sister Pudentiana, Praxedes provided care and comfort to persecuted Christians and martyrs. They used their family fortune to support the poor, buried Christian bodies, ministered to those in prison, and hid many Christians in Praxedes's home.
When did Praxedes live and die?
Praxedes lived in the Roman Empire during the 2nd century and died in 165 AD, at the age of 16. The Catholic Encyclopedia refers to her and her sister as martyrs of an unknown era.
When did veneration of Saint Praxedes begin?
Veneration of Saint Praxedes, along with her sister Pudentiana, began in Rome during the 4th century. Many churches have been dedicated to her since then.
Where is Saint Praxedes buried?
Praxedes, her sister Pudentiana, and their father Pudens were buried in the Catacomb of Priscilla, an archaeological site near the Via Salaria in Rome.
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