Sacred Spaces in Early History

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Many cultures designate and design intricate and complex structures for religious devotion. These culturally unique structures reveal the importance of religion in those cultures and allow outside observers to learn and appreciate their traditions and beliefs.

After the establishment of the Edict of Milan in 313 by the Roman Empire legalizing Christianity, many Christians gathered to design and create Old St. Peters Church . The Christians decided to build this church directly over the tomb of St. Peter. This was done in order to coordinate with biblical scripture in which Jesus proclaimed the church be built on the rock in which Peter was standing. The church as a whole is orientated into the shape of a cross. This cruciform design is derived from the cross which is the single most important symbol in Christianity. This church also established exquisite spiritual spaces that are still common in many churches today. The outside atrium is a general area where the holy is kept in and the blasphemous is forced out. The attendants then proceed past the narthex into the nave which becomes the prominent space for religious devotion towards the focal point of the apse. The direct worship towards the apse creates a straight axis approach. This approach is central to the ideas of Christians whom have a sole purpose of progression towards joining Jesus in heaven. The cruciform orientation and straight axis plan of Old St. Peter’s Church are key elements in understanding the faiths and customs of Early Christians in the Roman Empire.

In the Mie prefecture in Japan there exists an exceptional structure dedicated to the Shinto Religion. The Ise Shrine is a grand wooden structure first built several thousands of years ago. The intricate woodworking techniques require no hammer or nails and are flawless against the harsh tsunamis raging against the Japanese coast. Followers of Shinto honor the sun god Amaterasu at the Ise Shrine. In veneration of the sun god, the Ise Shrine is rebuilt every 20 years. This ritual involves a large feast and ceremonies to celebrate the new structure. Formally known as the Shekinen Sengu, the purpose of this ritual is to symbolize the rising and falling of the sun and the ever changing and evolutionary aspects of nature. This constant cycle of death and rebirth reflects the culture of the Japanese in which intense meditation and never ending faith are essential family values that pass down from generation to generation. Although the idea of polytheism seems outlandish to Westerners, believers of the Shinto religion utilize the multiple gods to be able to focus and meditate on certain aspects of their life.

The vast differences between the Early Christians and followers of Shinto are apparent through their design and construction of structures designated for religious devotion. The Shinto’s belief in a constant life cycle evident in their Shekinen Sengu ritual is contrary to the straight axis and constant progression involved in Old St Peter’s Church. Although located across many miles the sacred spaces have commonalities. Both structures are dedicated to religion. More importantly, both structures were built in honor of a specific holy being. The Ise Shrine was built in tribute to Amaterasu while Old St. Peter’s Church was erected to give homage to St. Peter and the rock upon which he stood. Beside basic differences in construction and beliefs both the Early Christians and native Japanese have similar ideas on building sacred structures to honor a specific deity.

Throughout time, civilizations and cultures have placed important cultural values and traditions through the construction and design of religious structures. Old St. Peter’s Church and the Ise Shrine each represent their respective culture by the way the sacred space is utilized for specific traditions and religious devotion.