| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Vaticanus | Anthony | Thursday, December 16, 2004 |
Question: Hello Brother, Recently,I was listening to a late night talk show on the radio. Listeners call in with questions and comments relating to the subject being discussed during each show. On the night I was listening in,ancient Greek and Roman beliefs were among the things being discussed. One caller said that 'Vaticanus' in Latin (Vatican) means 'divining serpent'. Is this true? Thanks for your reply and may the Holy Family bless you this Christmas season. |
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| Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM
Dear Anthony: No, this is not true. Sheesh, what will anti-Catholics make-up next? The name of the Vatican City comes from the name of the hill on which it is located, Vatican Hill. In the very beginning of the history of Rome, it was the sacred place devoted to an Etruscan God. Vineyards and gardens covered and surrounded the hill. In A.D. 67 St Peter was crucified there and buried in the necropolis. This gave the Christian aspect to Vatican Hill, which was officially recognized in A.D. 326 when the Basilica of St Peter was built. Gradually the area was inhabited with houses and palaces were built. From the 13th century on popes made the Vatican their residence. The name of the hill "Vatican" predates Christianity. We call the Vatican the Vatican because that was the name of the hill before the Christians got there. If the hill have been named by the Romans as Dingleberriis Hill I suppose we would be referring to Vatican City as Dingleberry City :) In any event the word Vatican is a derivation of vaticinium, meaing "the prophecy of future things." God Bless, |
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