Zalai Múzeum 11. Kereszténység Pannóniában az első évezredben (Zalaegerszeg, 2002)

Gáspár, Dorottya: Donatio Iustiniani

Donatio Iustiniani 81 5. Archaeological and liturgical evidences and ideas The early Christian church of Valcum has three apses and three naves, (fig. I).

19 The pavement of the middle apse is on a higher level than that of other two apses. The middle nave and apse with flanking branches were built first. The other two apses would be joined later, when the Ostrogoths reconstructed the "Binnenfestigung" after the destruction.

20 Every church provides space for liturgy; consequently, every church has to match the liturgy. The Ordo Romanus required only single apse and a modest outline. The Benedictine monks insisted on the Ordo Romanus, and their churches were more modest, because the liturgy lacked elaborate ritual; better to say, their liturgical elaboration depended on occasion. At first sight, this fact seems to contradict the presence of the Benedictine monks. Let us dwell on this point a little longer! Ostrogoths were the ones who reconstructed the church; and they professed the Arian creed. The Arians celebrated messae Gallicanae. The form of this liturgy was influenced by the more elaborate Syrian ritual.

21 The Antiochian, Maronite, Byzantine and Armenian ritual were modelled on the Syrian one.

22 All these rituals emphasised the solemnity of ceremony with motions and processions. A modest church building with a single apse would not match these rituals. Only a larger building with aisles and apses could provide space for them. The Ostrogoths built only this larger type of the church, and this is the only type of church found at excavations sites where once German tribes lived.

23 Furthermore, we know that local features in other towns modified the Ordo Romanus. Ambrosius explained that the Ordo Romanus had to be followed but would other customs might also be kept besides the Ordo Romanus?* The Roman liturgy, allowing for local modifications, spread very quickly.

25 Let us return to our central issue, the Benedictine monks. To assume their arriving at Valcum, they settled there, taught there, and celebrated liturgy there. The situation urges us to ask questions. Where did they dwell? Where did they have the possessions? What was the possession? Who gave them the possession? What was the celebrated liturgy like? Did the Ostrogoths take part in this liturgy? Who took part in the liturgy? Did the monks insist on the Ordo Romanus or did they celebrate it with local features? Did they celebrate the missae Romanae altered by modo Gallicanol How long did they remain here? These questions lead us to further hypotheses, if we attempt to reply them. They dwelt in the building called horreum during the day. This became the possession of the monks. Perhaps, wealthy inhabitants give it to them. It is very likely that Ostrogoths took part in the liturgy. In addition it is very likely that the monks celebrated the Roman liturgy with local features. The Roman and the Gallic liturgies were assimilated to one another. We must not forget the liturgical reforms implemented by Gregory the Great. These monks agreed with Ambrosius, who followed Ordo Romanus, and maintained other customs besides it. The Benedictine monks have remained in Pannónia, better to say in a country that had once been Pannónia. They wandered to other areas. However, we cannot know many other towns they wandered to until they settled in their present place. 6. Conclusion Whether the Donatio Iustiniani is authentic or not, it might indicate some ecclesiastical events. The Ostrogoths had built a church, and this was modified - according to my supposition - by Benedictine monks, who arrived at this area during the papacy of Gregorius Magnus. Consequently the plan of this church, as we see today, can be dated to the turn of the 6th and 7th centuries. Note: 1 The vast literature on the basilica is discussed in detail in my forthcoming book: Christianity in Pannónia during the first five centuries. BAR. No. 22. I. a-b. 2 J ARAK 1998 779-786. 3 JARAK 1998 784-785. 4 DÉCARREAUX 1964 218. 5 According to DÉCARREAUX a temple of Jupiter - 1964 219. 6 DÉCARREAUX 1980 160. 7 DÉCARREAUX lists them, 1967 215 note 1: Martin of Tour died 397, Jerome 419, Honoratius of Lérins 429, Augustine 430, Pulinus of Nola 431, Cassenius 435, Hilarius of Aries 449, Patrick 461, Caesarius of Aries 543, Martin of Braga 580, Radegunda 587, Columba of Iona 597, Leander of Seville 601, Isidore of Seville 636. 8 NOETHLICHS 1999 Sp. 683, C, I, с 9

LATOURETTE 1937 66. 10 CHAPMAN 1929 57-87. For example, his examination