St. Abdon

Abdon was a Catholic saint who lived in the 3rd century. He is generally associated with the figure of St. Sennen, whose statue adorns a spire on the south side of the Duomo. The name Abdon refers to the Persian-Eastern origins, which some think were even noble, but there is no certainty in this regard. After his conversion to Christianity, he was ordered to make sacrifice to pagan gods under Emperor Decius. His absolute refusal led to his death with his friend Sennen. They were taken to the Colosseum, where wild beasts were ready to tear them apart but these beasts miraculously became tame. The gladiators, instead, became ferocious beasts who beheaded them before the pleased Senate. After being left for three days before the statue of the Son God, their remains were then hidden by one Quirinus, who preserved them until they were taken to the Ponziano cemetery, following a miraculous revelation. Today the remains of the two saints rest in the basilica of San Marco, in Rome, and their liturgical memory is celebrated on 30 July. They are often portrayed with precious robes inferring their Persian origins, or with a royal tiara, as the one often attributed to the Magi. The statue of San Abdon on spire G19 was made by sculptor Nardo Pajella in 1951-1953. He is a young saint, tall and powerful, portrayed taking a step forward while looking straight ahead. He takes the left hand to his chest, while the right arm hangs by his side, holding the palm branch of martyrdom. There is actually an older version of this statue, made in the early 1800s by Gerolamo Argenti. It is currently preserved in the marble workers' site to protect it against damages. This older statue differs from the new one in that the right arm is lifted and the left one rests on the hip.