Saints Vitalis and Agricola

four different bishops and two radically different political and religious regimes. Because the details of the work 's progress and the exact participation of each sponsor are not recorded it may forever remain a mystery of who participated. Founded by Bishop Ecclesius, it reflects many imperial and religious concepts and ideologies in its design. The saint in which this cathedral is paid homage to is Saint Vitalis, a martyr who was killed because he tried to help and encourage another who was being tortured for his adherence to Christianity. After he was martyred, so were his wife Valeria and children Gervase and Protase. According to written tradition: “Saint Vitalis, the glorious martyr of Christ, next to the city of Ravenna grants benefits through prayers and intercessions for all believers of Jesus Christ up to the present day”( Deliyannis 224). St. Vitalis was established as Ravenna’s chief martyr by the construction of this church, and although the origins of the connections to Ravenna are unknown, it is connected to the rivalry between Milan and Ravenna (Deliyannis 223). To commemorate such a regionally significant saint, San Vitale was the most up to date architectural designs from Constantinople. This was important to those building it because its impressive and unusual layout according to the design reflected the technological intelligence, prestige, and power of the ones creating it. Of all the other baptisteries and cathedrals, including Santa Maria Maggiore…