What Makes a Church Sacred?: Legal and Ritual Perspectives from Late Antiquity

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Cover Palevsky imprint Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Illustrations Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Part I. The Legal Making of Res Sacrae 1. Res Sacrae The Geographical and Chronological Scope of the Canons and Laws Defining “Ecclesial Property” Roman Juristic Pedagogy on Res Sacrae The Making of Christian Res Sacrae A Dispute over a Consecrated Church in Libya Confiscation: The Legal Delegitimization of Others’ Churches The Trial of Crispinus of Calama and the Stigma of Ten Pounds of Gold 2. Protected Places Roman Juristic Pedagogy on the Protection of Res Sacrae Rules on Alienation Bishops’ Kin and Ecclesial Property in Alexandria and Edessa Rules on Loans, Detention, and Lease Rules against Acts of Violence A Civil and Ecclesiastical Tug of War in Rome 3. Protecting Places Manumission of Slaves Asylum of Refugees Redemption of Captives The Use of Ecclesial Property to Perform Acts of Mercy Part II. The Ritual Making of Res Sacrae 4. Dedications Theoretical Underpinnings How to Adorn Res Sacrae Dedicatory Practices and Res Sacrae in Economies of Exchange Is Church Property a Commodity? 5. Consecrations Regifting Gifts in Consecratory Festivities of Late Antiquity The Circle of Sanctity: God, Celestial Patron, and Earthly Founder Festivals, Theōria, and the Journey of the Soul Inviting Festival Participants into the Circle of Sanctity Regifting as Taboo in Late Antiquity Regifting in the Ritual Economy 6. Anniversaries Anniversary Celebrations Non-Chalcedonian Homilies on the First Church of Mary Why the First Church of Mary Is Sacred The Aftermath of the Council of Chalcedon Non-Chalcedonian Perspectives on Mary Non-Chalcedonian Res Sacrae Conclusion Appendix A: The Sources of Justinian’s Institutes 2.1.pr–10 Appendix B: Chronological List of Roman Legislation on Ecclesial Property Appendix C: Chronological List of Ecclesiastical Canons on Ecclesial Property Appendix D: Late Antique Lections for the Consecratory Ritual Notes Bibliography Index Locorum General Index