Apollinaris, bishop and martyr – July 20th
St Apollinaris (d. 1st century, Ravenna, Italy) (Relics: Ravenna, Italy; Remagen, Germany; Düsseldorf, Germany)
First Class Relics
Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe
(Basilica of Saint Apollinaris in Classe)
Via Romea Sud 224
48124, Classe Ravenna, Italy
*The bones of St Apollinaris rest within the main altar of this church.
*A debate arose in Ravenna during the 12th century whether the true relics of St Apollinaris rested within the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo or within the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe. After examining the evidence Pope Alexander III determined that the authentic relics rested within the Basilica di Sant’Apollinare in Classe. An empty tomb within this church dated from 1173 AD preserves the memory of this declaration. This empty tomb is located below the small marble altar placed in the center of the nave. The bones of St Apollinaris were transferred to the main altar within the sanctuary in the 18th century.
Apollinariskirche (Saint Apollinaris Church)
Apollinarisberg 4
53424 Remagen, Germany
*Relics of St Apollinaris were brought to this city in the 12th century. In 1383 all of these relics, except the skull, were stolen by Duke Wilhelm I and brought to Düsseldorf, Germany. At a later date the skull was also taken and over the next few centuries transferred between several cities before its return to Remagen in 1857. It now rests within a magnificent reliquary bust placed within a large sarcophagus in the crypt of this church. Twice a year this bust is removed for the blessing of pilgrims.
Sankt Lambertus (Saint Lambertus)
Stiftsplatz 7
40213 Düsseldorf, Germany
*The relics of St Apollinaris that were stolen by Duke Wilhelm I, as mentioned above, rest within the main sanctuary of this church.
Churches of Honor in Rome
Basilica di Sant’Apollinare alle Terme
(Basilica of Saint Apollinaris at the Baths)
Piazza Sant’Apollinare 49
Rome, Italy
*This church is located just north of Piazza Navona. It is dedicated to St Apollinaris.
*This is the church at the Santa Croce University.
