SANCTVS ABDON: SANCTVS SENNEN.
The bodies are no longer there. They were no doubt removed, as most were, in the eighth century, to save them from Saracenic profanation, and translated to the basilica of St. Mark in Rome. There they repose, with many other martyrs no longer distinguishable; since the ancient usage was literally to bury the bodies of martyrs in a spacious crypt or chamber under the altar, so as to verify the apocalyptic description, "From under the altar of God all the saints cry aloud." This practice has been admirably illustrated by the prelate to whom I have referred, in a work on this very crypt, or, in ecclesiastical language, Confession of St. Mark's.
[Footnote 5: See Fabiola, pp. 362, 363.]
One 30th of July, soon after the siege of Rome in 1848, the chapter of St. Mark's were singing the office and mass of these Persian martyrs, as saints of their church. Most people on week-days content themselves with hearing early a low mass, so that the longer offices of the basilica, especially the secondary ones, are not much frequented. On this occasion, however, a young French officer was noticed by [{22}] the canons as assisting alone with great recollection.
At the close of the function, my informant went up to the young man, and entered into conversation with him.
"What feast are you celebrating today?" asked the officer.
"That of Sts. Abdon and Sennen," answered Monsignor B.
"Indeed! how singular!"
"Why? Have you any particular devotion to those saints?"
"Oh, yes; they are my patron saints. The cathedral of my native town is dedicated to them, and possesses their bodies."