Second Station: Thursday after Ash Wednesday at St George

Surrounded by the ruins of the empire that put its patron to death, the humble church of St. George in the Velabrum is a continuing reminder of the faith and sacrifice of that great saint.  As we head away from the river in the direction of the church, we see the Arch of Janus (late third/early fourth century after Christ) with its many niches, marking the site of the Forum Boarium, the cattle market of the ancient city.  While very little of his actual story has come down to us, it can be known for certain that he suffered near the current location of Lod, Israel, most likely in the late third or early fourth century.  While many of the stories about St George are largely fictional, they seem to indicate that he was a soldier, possibly of Cappadocian descent, and also that he suffered many tortures before his death.  He later became a popular patron of soldiers, who looked to him as a model for strength in the spiritual life.  His cult became especially popular in Europe when it was brought back with the returning Crusaders.

While the church is currently named for St. George, it has traditionally also been linked with the martyr St. Sebastian.  This is due to the church’s proximity to the location where the battered corpse of the saint was thrown into the Cloaca Maxima, the ancient sewer running underneath the site which still functions today.  The first Christian structure on this site was a diaconia (deaconry), thought to have been established here in the late fifth century.  This was a social services center of the early Roman church, including a distribution center with supplies for the needy, as well as a small chapel.  This may have been placed under the patronage of St. George by the first half of the seventh century, when mention of such was made.  (From: Procedamus in Pacem: a Guide to the Station Churches of Rome, PNAC)

Let us Pray

Prompt our actions with your inspiration, we pray, O Lord,

And further them with your constant help,

That all we do may always begin from you

And by you be brought to completion.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever. (Collect from Mass)

Arch of Janus and the church of St George behind it

Front of the church. Splendid bright morning. who said only Chicago has a mild winter?

Central nave. I like the cibourium upon de altar. Take a close look to the columns. They were recycled from ancient pagan  temples.