Sanctum sanctorum


The Latin phrase sanctum sanctorum has wrongly been considered the translation of the Hebrew term Qṓḏeš HaQŏḏāšîm which generally refers in Latin texts to the holiest place of the Tabernacle of the Israelites and later the Temples in Jerusalem, but also has some derivative use in application to imitations of the Tabernacle in church architecture.
The correct translation is the plural form sancta sanctorum, arguably as a synecdoche, used also to refer to the holy relics contained in the sanctuary. The Vulgate translation of the Bible uses sancta sanctorum for the Holy of Holies. Hence the derivative usage to denote the Sancta Sanctorum chapel in the complex of the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome.
In Hinduism, a temple's innermost part where the cult image of the deity is kept forms the Garbha griha, also referred to as a sanctum sanctorum.

Etymology

The Latin word ' is the neuter form of the adjective "holy", and sanctorum its genitive plural. Thus the term ' literally means "the holy of the holy ", replicating in Latin the Hebrew construction for the superlative, with the intended meaning "the most holy ".

Use of the term in modern languages

The Latin word sanctum may be used in English, following Latin, for "a holy place", or a sanctuary, as in the novel Jane Eyre which refers to "the sanctum of school room".
Romance languages tend to use the form sancta sanctorum, treating it as masculine and singular. E.g., the Spanish dictionary of the Real Academia Española admits sanctasanctórum as a derivative Spanish noun denoting both the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem, any secluded and mysterious place, and something that a person holds in the highest esteem.
The term is still often used by Indian writers for the garbhagriha or inner shrine chamber in Hindu temple architecture, after being introduced by British writers in the 19th century.

German Catholic processions

Some regional branches of the Catholic Church, e. g. Germans, are wont to refer to the Blessed Sacrament, when adored in the tabernacle or in exposition or procession, as the Holy of Holies. By custom, It is adored with genuflection; with a double genuflection, that is a short moment of kneeling on both knees, if in exposition; in the procession this ritual may be nonrigoristically alleviated, but at least a simple genuflection is appropriate when It is elevated by the priest for blessing or immediately after transsubstantiation. Personnel in uniform — which in Germany includes student corporations — give the military salute when passing by or in the moment of elevation.

The "enclosed house" of Hindu temple architecture

The garbhagriha in Hindu temple architecture has also been compared to a "sanctum sanctorum" in texts on Hindu temple architecture, though the Sanskrit term actually means "enclosed house" or "the deep interior of the house". However, some Indian English authors seem to have translated the Sanskrit term literally as "womb house".