Synopsis

The story of the Christian martyr Saint Cecilia. Unknown to her parents, Cecilia, a Roman patrician, has become a Christian. She has two suitors for her hand, Valerianus and Lentulus. Cecilia promises to marry Valerianus if he converts to Christianity. Later, Lentulus sees Valerianus enter the catacombs to be baptised by Bishop Urbanus and denounceshim to the Prefect, who orders his arrest. Cecilia and Valerianus are married according to Roman law, but during the nuptial banquet, Valerianus is torn from his wife and dragged before the Senate. Here he proudly affirms that he is a Christian and is sentanced to death. Cecilia claims the body of her husband and it is reverently laid to rest in the catacombs. As she leaves the catacombs she is arrested on suspicion of being a Christian and, refusing to pay homage to the gods, suffers martyrdom (917ft). Note: English intertitles. Main title missing. Reference: Maria Adriana Prolo, Storia del cinema italiano (Milan, 1951), p.141. (Shotlist)