Pilgrimage and Sacred Space

10
Pilgrimage and Sacred Space

description

Pilgrimage and Sacred Space. Christian sacred spaces. Meeting/worship spaces Synagogues (until 70-135 CE) House churches (1 st -3 rd centuries) Basilicas devoted as churches Architectural style Originally used as “town halls” Became a religious type of architecture Tombs of martyrs - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Pilgrimage and Sacred Space

Page 1: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space

Pilgrimage and Sacred Space

Page 2: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space

Christian sacred spaces

• Meeting/worship spaces– Synagogues (until 70-135 CE)– House churches (1st-3rd centuries)– Basilicas devoted as churches

• Architectural style• Originally used as “town halls”• Became a religious type of architecture

• Tombs of martyrs• Sites in Holy Land

Page 3: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space

Constantine

• Turning point in Christianity• “Converts” ca. 313

– Vision of cross in battle– Baptized near death

• Legalized practice of Christianity– Devoted resources to building projects– Used authority to promote doctrinal councils

• Mother Helena led “reclamation” of Holy Land sites

Page 4: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space

4th century churches

• Strategy: build on top of pagan shrines– Symbol of Christian replacement of paganism– Convert old religious practices to new ones

• Example: Christmas on Dec 25• Keep old piety but Christianize it

• New legal status = new needs and resources ($)• Dominant style: basilica (secular hall)

– Entrance = “narthex”– Long main hall = “nave”– 2 side aisles– Apse

Page 5: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space
Page 6: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space

St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome

Page 7: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space

St. John Lateran, Rome (cathedral church)

Page 8: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space

Baptistery of St. John Lateran, Rome

Page 9: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome (4th c. architecture, later decoration)

Page 10: Pilgrimage and  Sacred Space

Pilgrimage to Holy Land

• Motive: connect with biblical sites, esp. those connected with Jesus

• Intertwined with liturgy– Scripture readings– Eucharist

• Open to women and men

• Some sites are dubious – Jesus wrote letter to King Agbar????