Christiana Namagem Meyembi Supervisor
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The contribution of Relics and Paintings of Santa Sanctorum to Religious practices in the 13th century, Basilical of Saint John lateran church, Rome. Christiana Namagem Meyembi Supervisor Dr. Kristin Bliksrud Aavitsland If you want to import a picture, make sure that you obtain special permission to use a copyrighted work from the copyright holder, and make a note of that fact MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, AVH5080: Thesis for Masters in History of Religion, Autumn 2020 Word count: 30,100 1 2 Acknowledgement All in all, I would like to thank my mentor, so much for the cordial relations and guidance during the time of my research. I would also like to that all those who helped me with the work in some way. 3 ABSTRACT The Contribution of Relics and Paintings of Sancta Sanctorum to Religious Practices in the 13th Century, Basilica of Saint John Lateran Church, Rome. This thesis primarily focuses on relics and paintings and their effect to the 13th century Christian believers. The saint cult and the veneration of relics dates back to the third-century. It developed and became a fully-fledged culture among the early followers of Jesus. Generally, relics had gained a high profile among the believing community because of the supernatural influences they were believed to have for and in the life of a believer who possessed and kind of relics. These relics were classified in mainly three groups though other researchers mention of four. They became powerful objects drawing Christian to their beliefs that these objects possessed a divine power that many witnessed and gave accounts of testimonies. They gained a higher level of veneration. The hunt for relics during the period under discussion also increased so much that discussing the growth of Christianity and its day to day practices would be incomplete if the contributions relics and paintings were to be ignored. This thesis intends to find, review, discuss, and present the findings on: “The Contribution of Relics and Paintings of Sancta Sanctorum to Religious Practices in the 13th Century, Basilica of Saint John Lateran Church, Rome.” The research has developed through literature review and vigorous textual analysis. The conclusion is that: both relics and paintings gave out almost the same functions, though to some extent, those who possessed them viewed them with equity gap(s). They were and still remained instrument in follower’s lives and drawing them to a divine power to meet their desires. 4 Table of Contents Acknowledgement .......................................................................................................................... 3 ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER 1: RELICS AND PAINTINGS OF SANCTA SANCTORUM ................................. 7 1.1 Introduction and Thesis Motivation ................................................................................. 7 1.2 Research Question / Research Problem ........................................................................ 7 1.3 Introduction to Relics ....................................................................................................... 8 1.4 Queries surrounding relics ............................................................................................... 9 1.5 Introduction to the Sancta Sanctorum ............................................................................ 11 1.6 Description.................................................................................................................. 12 1.7 The Origin of Relics Among Christians ......................................................................... 15 1.8 Relic, Definition and Classification ............................................................................... 15 1.9 Medieval Relics in the Sancta Sanctorum ...................................................................... 17 1.10 Importance of Relics and Paintings in the Sancta Sanctorum .................................... 17 1.11 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 20 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................... 20 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 20 2.2 Textual Analysis ............................................................................................................. 21 2.3 Scholarships ................................................................................................................... 26 2.4. Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 28 CHAPTER 3 : RELICS ............................................................................................................. 29 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 29 3.2 Definition ....................................................................................................................... 30 3.3 Relic Classification, Collection and Documentation ..................................................... 32 3.3.1 Quest for Relics over the Ages ............................................................................... 33 3.3.2 Helena ..................................................................................................................... 35 3.4 Movement and Transfer of Relics .................................................................................. 39 3.5 Function of Relics .......................................................................................................... 43 3.6 Veneration of Relics and Some Biblical Perspectives ................................................... 46 3.6.1 Saintly Life: Old Testament Perspectives ............................................................... 46 3.6.2 Saintly Life: New Testament Perspectives ............................................................. 49 5 3.7 Effects of Relics on Matter............................................................................................. 51 3.8 Place of Relics in the Church ......................................................................................... 51 3.9 Identification, and Trade of Relics ................................................................................. 52 3.10 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 53 CHAPTER 4 : PAINTINGS / FRESCOES ............................................................................... 55 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 55 4.2 Definition ....................................................................................................................... 56 4.3 Image / Icons .................................................................................................................. 56 4.4 The Holy Stairs of Sancta Sanctorum ............................................................................ 63 4.5 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 65 CHAPTER 5 : SANCTA SANCTORUM ................................................................................. 66 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 66 5.2 Nicholas III ..................................................................................................................... 67 5.3 Origins of the Name ....................................................................................................... 68 5.4 The Outside Appearance of the Sancta Sanctorum ........................................................ 69 5.5 An Introduction into the Sancta Sanctorum ................................................................... 69 5.6 Access to the Sancta Sanctorum..................................................................................... 70 5.7 Objects in the Sancta Sanctorum .................................................................................... 71 5. 8 Paintings or Frescoes ...................................................................................................... 73 5.7 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 99 CHAPTER 6 : CONTRIBUTIONS OF RELICS AND PAINTINGS TO RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IN THE 13TH CENTURY ................................................................................... 101 6.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 101 6.2 Contributions ................................................................................................................ 101 6.3 Pilgrimages ................................................................................................................... 108 6.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 111 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................