Chapter 7

SUBTERRANEAN CHURCHES

Basilicas and catacumbal churches--Preference of the people for the latter--The cult of martyrs encouraged this--Crypts--Elevation of relics--Church of SS. John and Paul on the Coelian Hill--Temples were originally sepulchres--Basilican churches converted into mausoleums-- Dedications--Altars of wood changed for altars of stone--At first the bodies of martyrs were not dismembered--But dismemberment was made necessary by the transformation--The Martyrium of Poitiers--S. Emilion --Carvings--Crypt--Aubeterre--A Huguenot stronghold--Orders issued by Jeanne d'Albret--Her extended powers--The monolithic church--Menaced by ruin--Rocamadour--Lirac--Mimet--Caudon--Natural caves used as churches--Gurat--Lanmeur--Story of S. Melor--Dolmen Chapel of the Seven Sleepers--Another at Cangas-de-Ones--Confolens--Subterranean churches in Egypt--In Crete--The sacred caves in Palestine--Revival of cave sanctuaries by the Crusaders--Springs of water in crypts