I just found out that my cousin Tom had an article published in the Atlantic Monthly last October. It’s a bit about St. Peter’s bones and a bit about early Christian and Roman history. Tom lives in Italy—used to live in Rome—and is personally familiar with many of the old catacombs and underground sites there. I just read the article this morning and thought it was pretty interesting. You can also read responses to it (and his address to those who wrote) in the current issue (you have to scroll about 2/3s of the way down to get to the ones about his article).
Posted by elizabeth at January 27, 2004 03:31 PMAn interesting fact about St. Peter's basilica which Tom didn't mention in the article is that the money that was being raised by the indulgence-sellers early in the 16th century was intended to finance the construction of the version of the basilica we see today. It was in reaction to these indulgence-sellers that Martin Luther posted his theses on the church door (actually, it turns out that the story about the posting may be apocryphal).
Posted by: Patrick on January 28, 2004 09:42 AMActually, I had always heard that it wasn't Martin Luther who posted the letter on the door. Luther wrote the letter for the higher ups in the church in hopes that they would take action. He never intended for the masses to read it. Someone got hold of it and posted it on the door and well, the rest is history.
At least that is as the story was told to me.
Posted by: mermu on January 29, 2004 10:42 AM