NEBESKÝ JERUZALEM – ŠALAMÚNOV CHRÁM – KOSTOL: SAKRALIZÁCIA KRESŤANSKEJ ARCHITEKTÚRY (NIEKOĽKO TÉZ K VEĽKEJ TÉME)

The study draws attention to the issue of the sacralisation of Christian architecture. This topic – essential for research into ecclesiastical architecture – is analysed from several viewpoints. The chief questions asked are: What process was followed for the sacralisation of buildings which served Christians for gatherings and worship? How far back is it possible to speak about Christian sacred architecture? These questions naturally lead back to the very beginnings of Christianity and Christian architecture. Great attention is dedicated to the special liturgy of consecrating churches as a ritual means for the sacralisation of a specific place and building. Ultimately, the final section focuses on an analysis of the thesis according to which, in the Middle Ages, wooden churches in our territory could not be consecrated, only blessed, with the consequence that they supposedly could not serve as parish churches.