Sancta Sanctorum

Kasper · Post by **Kasper** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 5:22 am

I was reading this book about Italy and it talked about a church called “Sancta Sanctorum”, I am wondering why it is called this.

I don’t mean the religious reason for it, but why SanctA? Either this is female singular or neuter plural. Since it is only one church, I don’t see why it would be plural. If it is female, then why is it followed by a male or neuter and not a female word?

Eg. if “Sancta” refers to the church, “Ecclesia”, then shouldn’t I expect Sancta (ecclesia) Sanctarum (ecclesiarum)? As being the holiest church among other churches?

Or if it means the holy place of holy places, then Sanctus (locus) Sanctorum?

Anyone?

amans · Post by **amans** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 11:33 am

I'd go for your last explanation, Kaspar. I think the "Sancta Sanctorum" is a specific part of the church: the holiest part. I'd say "sancta" was neuter nominative plural, and I think the implied word is "loca", places. "Sancta sanctorum" also refers to the pope's private chapel in the lateran.

Phylax · Post by **Phylax** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:16 pm

It appears to be the Vulgate's translation of "Qodesh Ha-qadashim",
- English 'Holy of Holies', the most sacred part of the Hebrew Temple. See, for example, http://www.latinvulgate.com/verse.aspx?t=0&b=31&c=42

Deses · Post by **Deses** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 2:22 pm

Phylax wrote:It appears to be the Vulgate's translation of "Qodesh Ha-qadashim",
- English 'Holy of Holies', the most sacred part of the Hebrew Temple. See, for example, http://www.latinvulgate.com/verse.aspx?t=0&b=31&c=42

Precisely. Also, in hymnography St. Mary is often analogically compared with the Temple. Romanos the Melodist has such references in his famous akathistos.