“Quo Vadis?” is used often. Restaurants, films, shops even old automobiles have been called Quo Vadis.
I thought it would be easy to find the background to these words. .
The easy part is the Latin translation.
“Where are you going?”
There are other translations with subtle differences, but the essence remains the same.
Earliest references allude to a New Testament verse (John 13.36), translated to the following "Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou?”
More than this I could not find, so I read the book Quo Vadis.
The book was written roundabout 1896 by Polish Nobel Prize winner Henryk Seinkiewicz. He was a Latin scholar and historical researcher.
Legend has it that Peter fled Rome during the persecution of the Christians during Nero’s time. On the Appian Way he was confronted by a vision of Christ.
Peter asked “ Quo vadis, Domine?” ( “Where are you going, Lord?”)
To which the Lord replied “ If you desert my people, I am going to Rome to be crucified a second time”
Peter returned to Rome and was later crucified.
This is the best I could do, somehow I do not believe I have done justice to the occasion, any contributions will be welcome.
Image from Wikipedia
EDIT on 17 October 2008
I have never really felt that this post has done justice to the occasion and I went digging deeper I found this passage in the introduction of the book Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz, first published in 1896. The author was a respected latin researcher. Passage verbatim from the introduction
“Quo vadis, Domine”, or as the apostle Peter would say in common parlance, “Where do we go from here, Lord?” Legend has it that Peter sought to flee Rome after the seeming destruction of the Christian church there, resulting from persecution under Nero. He was supposedly not afraid, but rather wished to preserve the rest of the church in the light of the victory of Antichrist (Nero) in the new Babylon (Rome). But the Lord’s response to “Quo vadis?” was for Peter to return and die with his brethren, not in defeat, but as a sign of victory over the powers of darkness. Whether this legend is true or not, we all know the outcome.”
Still digging, will find more....
8 comments:
Thank you for your explanation on the deeper meaning of Quo vadis . I appreciate your efforts. I was looking for an answer as I've just started reading QUO VADIS by Sienkiewicz.
The term also refers to a short cropped hair cut worn by folks w/tightly curled hair, such as African-Americans. A parlance of beat poets and 60's folks, the term has comeback into common usage w/ the election of our 44th President.
There is more to the meaning yet than the original story. It is the question of Christ to us (The World and it's people) "Where are You going?" in your life? Are you going to end up living a life of selfish pursuits? Or live your life seeking to know the one who died that you might go to spend your eternity with him in paradise?
I like the above explanation of Greg. Where are we really going with our life in this world ---- to journey with Christ and gain eternity with Him or go the wrong path and be doomed forever.
How do you think this fit in with Pope Benedice XVI's upcomming resignation at the end of the month?
I also like the explanation of Greg,I feel that its important to know where we are going in life spiritually and to do our best in life we can,there is to much evil done in this world.
Quo Vadis Domine, is when Peter is returning home from prison, to his wife and family, The Lord says to Him "Peter if you don't meet me in Rome, I will be crucified a second time."
Peter in my mind does not just turn around there and then. He jas just escaped from prison, he is married and on his way hone to his wife and family, and the Lord Jesus wants him to return too from where he is departing.
Whatever Pain and Anguish he went through turning around and going to Rome, one can only imagine. Never would he see his love and wife again, or his family and friends. The Lord was with Him I know, but how do we mere mortals of flesh and blood, dare to face such gnashings and sin and stand alone with the Lord and Faith, against such, Peter also known as Simon, was flesh and blood, as was The Lord Jesus Christ. What light behind his eyes as he returns would this be blinding to one like me. Peter was filled with The Holy Spirit and Spoke t many in Rome where he was arrested and Crucified. He asked to be crucified upside down, as he felt no worthy to die like His Lord, Master, Rabunni, and Friend, The Lord Jesus Christ. The soldiers did not release his body from the cross, after the spectacle of Peters crucifixion, in the arena, they chopped off his feet, and probably threw his body like a carcass into a pit or box.
Thank You St Peter, " and upon this rock I will build my Church " Saith The Lord.
The Holy Spirit has delivered to me for you who receive tho imparted information. Nero had declared himself the chief enemy of God, and his fury led him to slaughter the Apostles' Nero actually publicly announced himself the enemy of God.
Concerning the last hours of Peters life, it is said that Peter, when seeing His Own wife led out to die, rejoiced because of her summons, and her return home, and he called to her very encouragingly, and comfortingly, addressing Her by Name and saying, "O thou, remember The Lord."
On the final days of the Apostle Peter n Rome, Italy, Jowett wrote that Peter was cast in to a horrible prison, calls the Mamertine. For nine months in absolute darkness, he endured monstrous torture, manacled to a post. Desire all His suffering he did convert His jailers, Processus, Martinianus,and forty seven others.
Peter met His Holy Death at the hand of the Romans in Nero's circus, 67AD.
Post a Comment