The Presbyters Project

Culmen apostolicum cum Caelestinus haberet / primus et in toto fulgeret episcopus orbe / haec quae miraris fundavit presbyter urbis / Illyrica de gente Petrus vir nomine tanto / dignus ad exortu Christi nutritus in aula / pauperib(us) locuples sibi pauper qui bona vitae / praesentis fugiens meruit sperare futuram.

(Epigraphik-Datenbank Clauss/Slaby, no. EDCS-35200388)

"When Celestinus held the highest apostolic throne and shone forth gloriously as the foremost bishop of the whole world, a presbyter of the city, Illyrian by birth, named Peter and worthy of that great name, established this building at which you look in wonder. From his earliest years he was brought up in the hall of Christ - rich to the poor, poor to himself, one who shunned the good things of life on earth and deserved to hope for the life to come".

(translation: Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P., https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/5104376384)

Discussion:

Celestine I was the bishop of Rome between AD 422 and 432. The construction of the basilica by the Presbyter Peter is confirmed by the Liber Pontificalis [1802].

The inscription says that Peter "served the Church" from his earlier days, probably as a lower cleric.

Place of event:

Region

Rome
Danubian provinces and Illyricum

City

Rome

About the source:

Origin: Rome (Rome)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Edition:

Trismegistos no. 619612.

Epigraphik Datenbank Clauss/Slaby no. EDCS-35200388.

E. Diehl (ed.), Inscriptiones Latinae Christianae Veteres, vol. 1, ed. 2., Berlin 1961, no. 1178a.

Illustration from https://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/mrc/images/SantaSabinadedication3.jpg/view.

Bibliography:

E. Thunø, "Looking at Letters: «Living Writing» in S. Sabina in Rome”, Marburger Jahrbuch für Kunstwissenschaft 34 (2007), 19–42.

Categories:

Travel and change of residence

PR812.

Former ecclesiastical career - Lower clergy

PR812.

Functions within the Church - Urban presbyter

PR812.

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

PR812.

Ecclesiastical administration - Construction/Renovation

PR812.

Economic status and activity - Indication of wealth

PR812.

Impediments or requisits for the office - Ecclesiastical career

PR812.

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: S. Adamiak, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER1365, http://presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=1365