Santa Maria delle Grazie

Details

Category: Chiese

The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is near the ancient route of the Via Flaminia. The current structure (end of XV century) was erected on a preexisting one, as suggested by numerous architectural materials of 1200. The façade has a rectangular shape, made of stones of various sizes, with a bell tower. The interior has one nave and near the altar there is a painting of a Madonna and Child among angels by an anonymous artist known as Maestro dell'Incoronazione (1500). Interesting affrescoes of the Umbrian school are present (l'Adorazione dei Magi, l'Annunciazione, Cristo fra gli Apostoli, la Morte della Madonna, S. Francesco e altri Santi). A valuable wooden statue of S. Antonio Abate (1484) was exhibited in the church. After a restoration it was moved to the Church of San Felice .

Curiosity: The veneration of Sant’ Antonio Abate is widespread in areas devoted to agriculture as Massa Martana area. According to hagiographical sources, Antonio, was born in Coma in Egypt, (about 251 a.C.), from rich Christian farmers. He is considered a hermit among the most rigorous: despite his rich origin he was uninterested in the flattery and luxury of the worldly life: Antonio preferred the work and meditation rather than participate in celebrations and banquets. On the death of his parents distributed all richness to the poor. He withdrew into the wilderness and began his life as a penitent.

He spent many years struggling against the temptations of the devil, living in an ancient rock-hewn tomb. The devil often appeared to him to show what he could do with his richness. The devil showed to him through the shape of a ferocious beast, especially pork (That is the reason he is often depicted with a pig). To these provocations Antonio responded with any kind of fasting and penance always succeeding in resist.

Antonio was very long-lived: he died at the age of 105 years (17 January 355) in his hermitage on Mount Qolzoum.

The rituals that take place every year at the feast of St. Antonio are ancient and closely related to the rural life. Antonio Abate is a true "Saint" of the people: he is considered the protector against epidemics of humans and animals.

He is the protector of the cattle and his effigy was placed on the door of the stables: many examples of this practice are found also in the area of Massa Martana.

The Saint is also invoked to ward off the fire: his name is linked to a form of herpes known as "shingles" or "sacred fire."