The Catacombs of Saint Callixtus

THE LIBERIAN AREA

The Liberian Area is in the northern part of the Cemetery of St. Callixtus and was excavated in the second half of the 4th century. Its name was given by de Rossi following the discovery in this area of three sepulchral inscriptions from the time of pope St. Liberius (352-366), St. Damasus' predecessor. One of these inscriptions, now in the Museo Pio Cristiano in the Vatican, refers to a certain Euplia, a five years old girl, "deposita in pace sub Liberio papa" (buried in peace under pope Liberius").
Its chief feature is the presence of large cubicles with either groined or barrel vaults, with columns or sometimes pilasters at the four corners. The region contains also a great number of skylights, quite visible overground. The few scattered frescoes in this area recall well-known themes: Christ the pantocràtor, the monogram of Christ, Adam and Eve with the serpent (original sin), Susanna accused by the elders, garlands, ...
Some of the clergy found here their last resting-place. Inscriptions reveal that some cubicles were those of deacons, such as Deusdedit, "who melted the hearts of the obstinate with goodness. He was devoted to justice and led an upright life. He was rich to the poor and poor to himself". Deacon Tigridas "was distinguished for the austerity of his life.He was also a man of the old generation, diligent and watchful in observing the divine law". Deacon Redemptus "passed a youth worthy of praise and lived in innocence".
The deacons were close collaborators of the bishops. In Rome they assisted the pope. In the Church hierarchy they ranked next to the presbyters and in the Christian community they carried out liturgical and administrative functions, as well as charitable works, etc.

The Sepulchral Inscriptions
The Catacombs of St. Callixtus have 2378 inscriptions, intact or fragmentary, many of which belong to this Liberian region. The inscriptions hand down the memories of the humble world of the Church in its origin; they are the evidence of the life, of the faith, and of the death of the early Christians. The inscriptions praise virtues and merits of the dead; and recall their participation in the familiar, social and religious life; they are invocations and prayers for the dead and for the survivors.
The inscriptions exalt married and family life.

Celsius Eutropius had lost his young wife when she was barely thirty, after eleven years of happy marriage. He wrote on her tombstone that the time he had spent with her had been a paradise: "Celsius Eutropius to his wife...who lived always with me without ever causing me any detriment to my soul and life ("sine ulla lesione animi mei"). She lived for 31 years, 9 months and 15 days...With loving memory in peace".

Probilianus exalts the conjugal faithfulness and goodness of his wife: "Probilianus to his wife Felicity, whose faithfulness, upright conduct and goodness were known to all our neighbours. In the eight years that her husband was absent she never betrayed him. She was buried in this holy place on January 30".

The parents of Junius Acutianus call their young child " a lamb of goodness given to Christ": "To Junius Acutianus, who lived about ten years. Well deserving, in peace... In this tomb which you see rests a boy witty of mind, despite his very tender age. A lamb snatched to heaven and given to Christ".

A parent of Macedonianus remembers with boundless affection the little Macedonianus, who was already an orphan: "To the dearest son Macedonianus, sweeter than all sweetness of children, who lived on this earth nine years and twenty days. A parent raised this tomb to his loved one".

The mother of Augustine dedicates the inscription to her "dear youth": " ...to the sweet repose, to the singular piety, to the innocence of life and the marvellous wisdom of a most dear youth, who chose his mother's religion. Worthy beyond all telling...Augustine lived fifteen tender years and three months. A most devoted mother to her sweetest son in eternal peace".

Above one of the steps of the staircase of the Liberian Area in its lower part, there is the little slab of Secunda, "a faithful virgin": "To Secunda, of admirable goodness, who lived twenty years with faith. She was of upright behaviour and always kept her virginity. She died in the peace of the Lord. A faithful virgin and well deserving. She went to rest on July 15, a dove without gall (without rancour in her speech), under the consulate of Mamertine and Nevicta".

Valentina is mourned by her parents with yearning love: "To the most gentle daughter Valentina (now) in the peace (of the Lord). O Valentina, sweet and so much loved, I am overcome by uncontrollable tears and I cannot utter a word. To those whom you endeared with your smile, this remains in their hearts; it adds more tears and cannot remove the sorrow. Heaven suddenly took you to itself".

Christians, though they long for heaven, do not forget the earth and their everyday problems. They take full part in all social activities, in the professions and in all kinds of work, putting their lives in the service of the neighbour. The epitaphs in the catacombs bear witness to it and mention their vocations:

Deuterius, a teacher of Latin and Greek: "Deuterius, interpreter of ancient seers (poets) and teacher of Latin and Greek, rests assured (of salvation) in tranquil peace".

Theòdulus, a brave soldier and an honest administrator: "His friends' memories keep the record (of Theòdulus), who died with military honours. His loyalty was outstanding among non-commissioned officers. He was faithful to all fellow-soldiers and friends. Reputation declares him a servant of God rather than of money and an upright official of the City Prefecture. If I were able I would sing his praise for ever so that he may be granted the promised gifts of light (i.e.paradise)".

Redemptus, the deacon mourned by his faithful and by pope Liberius: "O sorrow, dry your tears! O holy people of God, do you ask about deacon Redemptus? The kingdom of heaven suddenly called him. He made delightful music, sang exquisitely and celebrated with gentle harmony the holy prophet David (singing the Psalms). His life on earth was innocent. His youth was praised. He finally conquered evil and it can no more harm him. Now paradise welcomes him, after snatching him away, he who had won so many victories over the enemy (the devil)".

Annius Innocentius, "apostolic nuncio": "Annius Innocentius, acolyte, lived for 26 years. He laboured often on journeys by ecclesiastical command.Indeed he was sent twice to the provinces in Greece and in the regions of Campania, Calabria and Apulia in Southern Italy. On his last mission to Sardinia, he died. His body was translated to St. Callixtus. He sleeps (now) in peace, August 25...".

Valerius Pardus, a market gardener or a farmer, with a sickle in one hand and vegetables in the other: "Here lies Valerius Pardus. Felicissima put up this inscription to her excellent husband".

Ebentius, a priest in cure of souls: "Here rests Ebentius priest, who, having reached Christ's priesthood, deserved to govern God's people".

These are only some of the various epigraphs of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus, which describe the life of Christians. From the great variety of their professions, we realize how intimately they were inserted in the social context of the time. We cannot go on taking down the many eulogies of the early Christians; we shall confine ourselves to report names and professions of some other Christians:

Dionysius, physician and priest; Aurelius Aurelianus, centurion of the V cohort; Gorgonus, teacher; Paul, exorcist; Justus, craftsman; Primenius, food seller; Puteolanus, sculptor upon marble; Jovinus, carriage builder; Astasius, Alexander, Picentius, Quintus, Martinianus, Ursus, Felix, "fossores" (grave-diggers); Faustus, waiter. On the slab of a trader's tomb a pair of scales are engraved, while on a carpenter's tomb are engraved a saw and a hip-flask.

The apologists of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th century could rightly confute as absurd and unjust the calumnies and the accusations addressed by the pagans to the Christians, namely to live isolated from all others and to be dishonest and unproductive. On the contrary - argued the apologists - the Christian way of life was marvellous, indeed it was somewhat incredible ; in no way did they stand aloof, but they shared in all activities like the pagans. "They live in justice and sanctity" ; "they have learnt from God to live honest lives"; "they dwell on earth, but are citizens of heaven".
The inscriptions of the catacombs illustrate the faith professed by the early Christians. They tell us what Christians thought of the last realities, of death and of the fate of soul in eternity. The inscriptions reveal a widespread attitude of serenity and peacefulness. Death is not regarded as a curse, as the end of everything, but as a peaceful rest in expectation of the resurrection promised by Christ.
The expression which recurs continually is "In peace; he sleeps in peace; laid to rest in peace". They often wrote down the wish "May you live with the Saints in heaven, in God, in Christ, in the Holy Spirit, forever". The wish is often illustrated with the dove, holding an olive branch, a universal symbol of peace. "Felicia, your peace is in the Lord". The same conviction is expressed in the other catacombs. The faith of Christians is well summed up in this inscription: "The gentle and innocent Severianus rests here in the sign of Christ, in the sleep of peace. He lived more or less 50 years. His soul was received into the light of the Lord".
The destiny of Christians is final resurrection and everlasting life. Spokesman for all is Pope St. Damasus, who was the poet-singer of the catacombs. In his inscription, after recalling some of Christ's miracles (His walking on the waters, the rising of Lazarus, His own resurrection...), Damasus affirms with absolute certainty that Jesus Christ will one day rise him from his ashes:

"He who trod the tumultous waves,
He who restores life to the seeds
which die in the earth,
He who could unloosen the lethal bonds of death
after darkness,
and restore life after three days
to Martha's brother,
will, I believe, make Damasus rise from his ashes".