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.
What does your comment mean?
I would agree that their insults were born of pride. Pride begets ignorance.
Who is venerating his CASKET? You must not be a Christian....are you?
We don't WORSHIP anyone but the Trinity...knock it off.
Right! Because anyone who ever says a critical word about the Roman Catholic Church HAS to be "ignorant," right?
Because The Church{tm} is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in its being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Right?
My Grandparents, Mother, Aunts and Uncles who've passed away have tombstones as both an honor and recognition of their lives. What's the problem with doing the same for St. Paul?
Mind your own business!!
Insults are in the eye of the beholder.
Many people are 'insulted' when confronted with the truth and choose to remain ignorant.
I agree.
If you will not show us the Grail, we shall take your castle by force!
Romans 14:22, "Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves."
"You must not be a Christian....are you?"
He sure doesn't sound Christian. He is criticizing almost 2000 years of traditional Christian practice.
Sounds like some sort of modern cultist.
Because The Church{tm} is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in its being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Right?"
You underestimate your self. The statement that "Roman Catholics worship idols" is firmly and justifiably ignorant without the help of infallibility.
Attempted dodge fails, direct hit scores, game moves on.
Very well done and should be read by all on this thread.
So, yes, of course the tomb will be opened at some point, though there may well be records of the inventory and translation when it was last sealed. If they seem authentic and the tombs's seal is unbroken, they will leave it alone. Some of the most fascinating work the church does is investigating and authenticating saints, relics, and the attendant miracles. As for whether Paul would have liked this, I think he learned enough humility on the road to Damascus to know that it is not up to him.
For now I'll leave it in the hands of God from whom all good things come.
May God bless you and bring peace and guidance to the both of us. Amen.
We live in an age of antiheros and victims. Christianty is a heroic ethos in which we are all called to be great saints and heaveen rejoices in the triumph of every soul. I find the celebration of the sinful and banal by media a lot more troubling than the painting.
SHOULD be read by all on this thread ... won't be read by most, who will just continue to babble, gibber and misquote Scripture.
Freedom of speech is just wonderful.
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