Sanctuary of Sant’Asterio: Faith and Mystery in Ancient Ostia

A Place of Worship Shrouded in Rome’s History

The Sanctuary of Sant’Asterio, located in the evocative area of Ostia Antica, Rome, represents a place of profound Christian devotion, although the figure of the martyr and the history of the sanctuary are woven with mystery and uncertainties.

Who Was Sant’Asterio? Between Legend and Martyrdom

The figure of Sant’Asterio is shrouded in historical uncertainty. The available information, fragmentary and sometimes contradictory, suggests the existence of two possible homonymous figures, both martyrs of the 3rd century. According to the acts attributed to Pope Callixtus, Asterio was one of the 44 priests ordained by the pontiff, who recovered his remains from a well to bury them in the cemetery of Calepodio, on the Via Aurelia, on October 14. Legend has it that Alexander Severus threw him from the Sublician Bridge, and his body was found and buried in Ostia on October 21, 222. An inscription in the cemetery of Commodilla, on the Via Ostiense, mentions the “depositio” of Paschasius on October 12, eight days before the feast of Sant’Asterio, celebrated on October 19. These discrepancies in dates and accounts have fueled debate about the saint’s identity and history.

The lack of certain data about the relics does not prevent visiting the place where they are said to be kept and perhaps conducting historical research on the site.

The Origins of the Cult: A Hidden Sanctuary

The oldest evidence of a place of worship dedicated to Sant’Asterio dates back to the *Libellus Precum* (3rd-4th century), in which the priests Faustinus and Marcellinus mention a priest, Macarius, buried in the Basilica of the martyr Asterio, near the river in Ostia. Despite this mention, there is no other certain information about the existence of a proper sanctuary dedicated to Sant’Asterio. A suggestive hypothesis suggests an overlap of worship in the Basilica of Ostia, initially dedicated to Sant’Asterio and later named after Santa Aurea in the 5th century, when the memory of Asterio and his relics may have faded.

An Invitation to Adventure and Discovery

Although the history of the sanctuary is fragmentary, visiting the archaeological site of Ostia Antica offers a unique experience. One can imagine the location of the original basilica, perhaps along the riverbanks, and reflect on the faith of the early Christians. The search for clues about Sant’Asterio’s life, exploring the ancient ruins and inscriptions, can turn into a spiritual and cultural adventure.

Devotion and Memory

Despite the limited information available, the memory of Sant’Asterio serves as a reminder of the faith and strength of the early Christians in Rome. Visiting Ostia Antica, with its atmosphere rich in history and spirituality, means connecting with a past of devotion and martyrdom and rediscovering the roots of our faith.

An Invitation to Preserve Memory

The Sanctuary of Sant’Asterio, despite the uncertainty of its history, represents an invitation to preserve the memory of the saints and places of worship that have marked the history of Christianity. The search for new information, the enhancement of the archaeological site of Ostia Antica, and the dissemination of Sant’Asterio’s story can help keep his spiritual and cultural legacy alive.

Essential Information

• Location: Ostia Antica, Rome
• Period of use: Between 200 and 399 AD (estimated)
• Relics: Presumed bones of the martyr

00119 Ostia Antica RM, Italy