CLAS / PHIL 2610. Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 23. The Cult of the Saints

I. Models

A. Two-tiered Model

Saints = pagan gods in Christian clothing

David Hume Natural History of Religion: montheism v. polytheism = elite v. vulgar

Cult of saints = vulgar practice

B. Socio-cultural Model (Peter Brown)

Ancients never shed Polytheism; no mass conversions

II. Precedents

A. Sanctus / Hagios: cursed >>> holy

Community of believers >>> dead believers in 2nd C

Martyrs only >>> monastics, bishops, leaders

B. Parallels

1. Islamic (but not part of Islamic orthodoxy)

2. Jewish: tomb of patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) in Hebron; but no organized worship

3. Pagan: Hero Worship; Emperor Worship; but pagans too firm a line between God and man; and pagans worship heroes as gods, Xians worship God through martyrs as men

III. Breakdown of barriers

A. Sacred space / profane space: handling of corpses; shrines of corpses in cities

B. Urban / non-Urban: Outside city (St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s outside walls

Recreate city (women, poor)

Social hierarchies: Paulinus (aristocrat) and shrine of Felix at Nola

D. Divine / Human: Heaven / Earth

Direct intercession with God

IV. Patronage

A. Parentalia: care of dead = family responsibility

B. Bishop: new local elite; Ambrose (Gervasius and Protasius)

C. Intercession

1. Invisible Companion

Guardian Angel (genius / daimon)

Identification between saints and elites

2. Special Dead: Elect or saved

Intercession; Link to eternal