Posted on 12/06/2006 6:18:21 AM PST by NYer
Vatican archaeologists have unearthed a sarcophagus believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Paul that had been buried beneath Rome's second largest basilica. The sarcophagus, which dates back to at least 390 A.D., has been the subject of an extended excavation that began in 2002 and was completed last month, the project's head said this week.
"Our objective was to bring the remains of the tomb back to light for devotional reasons, so that it could be venerated and be visible," said Giorgio Filippi, the Vatican archaeologist who headed the project at St. Paul Outside the Walls basilica.
The interior of the sarcophagus has not yet been explored, but Filippi didn't rule out the possibility of doing so in the future.
Two ancient churches that once stood at the site of the current basilica were successively built over the spot where tradition said the saint had been buried. The second church, built by the Roman emperor Theodosius in the fourth century, left the tomb visible, first above ground and later in a crypt.
When a fire destroyed the church in 1823, the current basilica was built and the ancient crypt was filled with earth and covered by a new altar.
"We were always certain that the tomb had to be there beneath the papal altar," Filippi told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.
Filippi said that the decision to make the sarcophagus visible again was taken after many pilgrims who came to Rome during the Catholic Church's 2000 Jubilee year expressed disappointment at finding that the saint's tomb could not be visited or touched.
The findings of the project will be officially presented during a news conference at the Vatican on Monday.
If you're merely venerating Christ you're giving him far less honor and glory than He deserves.
You doana frotten us Englisha pigdogs! Go and boil your bottoms on a silly person! I blow mah nose at yew, so-called Arthur King, and all your silly English kannnnnnnnnniggits!
I'd go along with that.
I hate to break up our little chat, but I have chores to do this morning. Thanks for the giggles! French Castle scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail
And that's a problem in and of itself.
That painting is not a product of our time, and I find it very 'problematic'. The style is borrowed from Byzantine church art, in which God is placed in the center of all things (where He really is), and the Saints and Angels are placed around Him (where they really are). That painting puts NOTHING in the center, but places George Washington in the place of highest prominence. It seems to imply either that Nothing is god, or that George Washington is god. If you're looking for examples of apparent 'ancestor worship' or 'idolatry' in the form of worshipping mere men or anthropomorphised ideas, look no farther than Washington, DC.
especially nice since a similar degree of ethnic antipathy and lack of communication was happening on the thread around us.
When you're done thumping your Bible at us heathens, add a Webster's dictionary to your reading list so you can understand the difference between the words venerate and worship.
Ever been to Arlington, or Gettysburg National Cemetery? Do you "venerate" the memories of those buried there, or is that "idol worship"?
As interesting by testiness of the comments. Thanks.
Personally, I choose to Worship Christ, but I do venerate the memories of people like George Washington, Ben Franklin and Roberto Clemente --- and St. Paul too.
English --- it's a good language with lots of words. I recommend it.
Not to worry. That was just the "art style" of that era. Leaders were often depicted as "in the company" of various divinities and personified virtues.
That will teach you to post something of importance, NYer!
Notice that the discovery, history and importance are lost in a snippy set of "Your Not the Boss of ME" posts.
Do any of you have family members or relatives buried in the cemetery? You do? OK, second question. Do you do anything to beautify their graves? Place flowers, maybe? A cross, perhaps? Keep them clean and tidy?
Maybe you spend a little time there......praying.....thinking....
Would this be considered "worship" or somehow an insult to Almighty God? The very idea is nonsensical, isn't it?
So why should St. Paul be any different? This man was the apostle to the Gentiles. He brought us our faith and left us a rich deposit in sacred Scripture. Should we leave his tomb buried under mounds of earth and rubble or should we give it the place of honor which it deserves, as we would our own relatives?
It's a no-brainer, isn't it?
Some of the comments on this thread are just plain scary and illustrate, yet again, why a Bible is a dangerous weapon in the hands of many people.
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No need to channel him, just read his epistles; he rebuked those who attempted to venerate him and Apollos when he was alive, so I'm sure that he would be doubly offended now that he is dead.
What passage are you talking about?
Well, I have venerated the tomb of George Washington, In fact hundred of visitors to Mount Vernon do so every day. I venerate the graves of my parents. I should stop because of your peculiar theologcal doctrines, which I do not think correct?
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