SANTIFICAZIONE DEI SENSI. – An ancient Eucharistic rite consisting in bringing the Eucharistic species to the forehead and eyes.
The epitaph of Pectorius (early 3rd century) refers to the Eucharistic bread placed on the palm of the hand of the faithful communicant, and likewise to the excellent wine and to the practice of bringing the lips to the consecrated Chalice, supported by the deacon. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (Catecheses, 23; Mystagogical Catecheses 5) says: «And when your lips are still moistened with the Blood of Christ, touch your mouth with your hands and, passing them over your eyes, forehead and other senses, sanctify them» (PG 33, 1126). In order to receive the Host on the cupped palm of the right hand, the palm of the left hand is crossed beneath it like a throne. The rite of the s. dei s. was also known to John Damascene, Cyril of Alexandria, and Theodore Balsamon. The s. dei s. was practiced for therapeutic purposes by Gorgonia, sister of Gregory Nazianzen. This custom derives its origins from Jewish religious folklore, where it is practiced with the wine from the cup of blessing at the end of the Sabbath, with the aim of obtaining physical health and also economic prosperity; Talmúd Babilonese, Bérákhóth 44 b and Sabbáth 113 b, cited by various recent authors, among them: Shemtob Gaguie, Keter Shém Töb, Cairunan 1934, pp. 482 ff. Eugenio Zolli
SANTIAGO DI COMPOSTELLA, ARCIDIOCESI di – Silver reliquary urn of St. James the Apostle (16th century), with the lamps offered by the military commander Consalvo of Córdoba (16th century) – Santiago, Cathedral.
SANT'IPPOLITO. DIOCESI di – View of Dürnstein, church of the former abbey of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, built by J. Mungenst (1721–25).
(phot. Bilderröw d. Ö. Nationalbibliothek)