Saint Paul
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Saint Paul , Pilgrimage , Pilgrim , Relic , Paul , Procession
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Abstract
In the Blessed Chapel of the Sacrament at San Paolo Fuori le Mura in Rome, alongside the Holy Crucifix, stands a venerated wooden statue of Saint Paul. The lower half of the statue is significantly deteriorated, as pilgrims once scratched the surface to take wood splinters as relics. Further damage occurred during a fire in 1823. The statue depicts Saint Paul as short with a dark beard, reflecting a common ancient iconography that may correspond to his true appearance.
Despite the fire damage, the faithful in Rome are eager to preserve this statue, believing it to be a true representation of the apostle. San Paolo Fuori le Mura, a major papal basilica dating back to the fourth century, is dedicated to Saint Paul and contains his shrine. The statue itself likely dates to the fourteenth century. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
Description
San Paolo Fuori le Mura, Rome
Citation
"The Transcept and the Chapels," Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, https://basilicasanpaolo.org/en/the-transept-and-the-chapels/.