Term

Martyria/Martyrium

A building that enshrines the tomb or relics of a martyr, often based on pagan tomb designs.

Filed underChurch History

Definition

A building enshrining the tomb and/or relics of a martyr. The forms adopted by the church were those already in use for pagan tombs.

Sources

  1. 1.J. G. Davies The New Westminster Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship. 1st American ed.. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1986). 364Original citation: Davies, J. G. The New Westminster Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship. 1st American ed. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1986, 364.

Last revised August 14, 2026