Ancilla Dei
Encyclopedia
In early Christian inscriptions
the title ancilla Dei (Latin
for "handmaid of God") is often given to a deceased woman. From the meaning attached to this term in the Middle Ages
it has sometimes been assumed that the persons so qualified in the first age of Christianity were consecrated virgin
s.
The inscriptions containing this formula are of two classes: one, in which it is merely stated that a given person was ancilla Dei; the other, from which it is clear that this title was sometimes given to persons who certainly were not religious.
The former class is the more numerous, but one of the latter is quite explicit. This informs us that a certain monument was erected by a husband to his wife, whom he styles Dei ancilla: "(Laur)entius Rufine coniugi Dei anci(llae)..." . In a Roman inscription of the first quarter of the sixth century a certain Guttes is referred to as ancilla Dei, and it is further stated that she was nonnes: "in presence of the nun
Guttes, a handmaid of God" ("sub presentiâ nonnes Guttes, ancille Dei"). This reference shows that even in the sixth century, ancilla Dei is a title not peculiar to religious persons; the author regarded it as necessary to state explicitly that she was nonnes . From the pontificate of Pope Gregory I
(590–604), however, only nuns, as a rule, were qualified by this title.
Early Christian inscriptions
Early Christian inscriptions are the epigraphical remains of early Christianity. They are a valuable source of information in addition to the writings of the Church Fathers regarding the development of Christian thought and life in the first six centuries of the religion's existence...
the title ancilla Dei (Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for "handmaid of God") is often given to a deceased woman. From the meaning attached to this term in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
it has sometimes been assumed that the persons so qualified in the first age of Christianity were consecrated virgin
Consecrated virgin
In the Catholic Church a consecrated virgin is a woman who has been conscrated by the church to a life of perpetual virginity in the service of God. Consecrated virgins are to spend their time in works of penance and mercy, in apostolic activity and in prayer, according to their state of life and...
s.
The inscriptions containing this formula are of two classes: one, in which it is merely stated that a given person was ancilla Dei; the other, from which it is clear that this title was sometimes given to persons who certainly were not religious.
The former class is the more numerous, but one of the latter is quite explicit. This informs us that a certain monument was erected by a husband to his wife, whom he styles Dei ancilla: "(Laur)entius Rufine coniugi Dei anci(llae)..." . In a Roman inscription of the first quarter of the sixth century a certain Guttes is referred to as ancilla Dei, and it is further stated that she was nonnes: "in presence of the nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
Guttes, a handmaid of God" ("sub presentiâ nonnes Guttes, ancille Dei"). This reference shows that even in the sixth century, ancilla Dei is a title not peculiar to religious persons; the author regarded it as necessary to state explicitly that she was nonnes . From the pontificate of Pope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I , better known in English as Gregory the Great, was pope from 3 September 590 until his death...
(590–604), however, only nuns, as a rule, were qualified by this title.