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