Open AccessThe function of biblical passages used as graves inscriptions found in the Zelów’s necropolis
Author(s) -
Grażyna Balowska
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
bohemistyka
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.11
H-Index - 1
eISSN - 2956-4425
pISSN - 1642-9893
DOI - 10.14746/bo.2017.4.3
Subject(s) - old testament , new testament , czech , philosophy , literature , element (criminal law) , subject (documents) , biblical theology , cover (algebra) , theology , history , art , linguistics , computer science , law , library science , political science , mechanical engineering , engineering
Graves inscriptions, which are subject of analysis in the present paper, are a basic element of the sepulchral space of the Evangelical Reformed Parish burial ground in Zelów that brings together the descendants of Czech religious emigrants. It is assumed that the tombstone inscription is a linguistic and iconic message with a defined, conventionalized structure, containing both obligatory and optional verbal elements. This analysis will cover non-obligatory verbal elements represented by final formulas in the form of quotations from the Bible, mainly from the Old Testament (passim the Book of Psalms), less frequently from the New Testament (passim the Gospels). Biblical passages testify to the relationship of the deceased and the tombstone’s founder to God; moreover, they express the desire to commune with God and hope for the reward that is the eternal life.