Ad Sanctos

AD SANCTOS. - This Latin expression ("near the saints") designates the custom of the ancient Christians of being buried, when possible, next to the tombs of the martyrs. It is found throughout the ancient world, but especially at Rome, in whose catacombs one can still observe the excesses of devastation to which that custom led: Quod multi cupiunt et vari accipiunt, says an inscription; and the favor was often paid for dearly. The motive was for the most part a simple sense of devotion, sometimes the hope of thus experiencing more closely the patronage of the saints; Constantine, according to Eusebius, had himself buried in the midst of the tombs of the apostles in order to share in the prayers of those who would come to honor them; sometimes the motive could be simple vanity. St. Augustine (De cura pro mortuis gerenda: PL 40, 561) does not recommend the practice at all; Damasus protests that he did not have himself buried in the crypt of the popes so as not to destroy other tombs; the archdeacon Sabinus at St. Lawrence outside the Walls preferred sancti ianitor esse loci (to be buried near the door), protesting "it does not help and is a nuisance to press close to the tombs of the martyrs... not with the body, but with the soul must we strive to be near them."

Antonio Ferrua