Feast of Sant'Agnese

 
 
January 21st is the feast of Saint Agnes, a 13 year old martyr who was born in to a noble family of Rome. She had many suitors of high rank, who, it is said, betrayed her to the authorities for being a Christian when she rejected their advances. On the orders of Emperor Diocletian she was dragged through the streets to a brothel where she was stripped of her clothes. Miraculously her hair grew to cover her nakedness.
The church of Sant'Agnese in Agone now stands of the site of the brothel, in Piazza Navonna.

 
 
The church was built by Borromini for the Pamphilj family - their dove emblem can be seen in the architectural details.