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History
The church was built in the 9th century. The Liber Pontificalis states that Pope Paschal I (817-–824) founded an oratory and a monastery dedicated to Sts Sergius and Bacchus here. It was rebuilt in 1563 on orders from Pope Paul III.
It was rebuilt again by Francesco Ferrari in the 18th century. Some changes were made by E. Banali at the end of that century.
In 1641, Pope Urban VIII granted it to the Ruthenian Monks of St Basil, who built a college adjacent to the church. Some changes were also made to the church at that time. In 1969, it was made the national church of the Ukrainians. The college was turned into a hospice for Ukrainian pilgrims.
Exterior
The Neo-Classical façade was rebuilt in 1896, and restored in 1970. The inscription on the lower of the three levels record the work done in 1641, mentioning Cardinal Antonio Barberini as the donor. The arms of the Barberini and the Basiliani families are on the middle level.
Interior
An image of Our Lady, the Madonna del Pascolo or "Madonna of the Pasture", is venerated in the church. It was placed in its current location above the high altar in 1718. It shows the Madonna and the Holy Child as they appeared to some Lithuanian shepherds.
On one side of the altar is a depiction of The Holy Family, and on the other St Anne with the Child Mary.
The ceiling has a 16th century fresco by Sebastiano Ceccaroni, depicting The Assumption.
There are two side altars; one with a depiction of Sts Sergius and Bacchus, and one with St. Basil, both by Ignazio Stern.
Liturgy
The liturgy is celebrated according to the Byzantine Rite of the Ukrainian Catholic church.
The memorial of Sts Sergius and Bacchus is celebrated on 24 February.
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