Catacombs...the first churches

In ancient Roman times, no one was allowed to be buried within the walls of the city. While pagan Romans were into cremation, Christians preferred to be buried (so they could be resurrected when the time came). But land was expensive, and most Christians were poor. A few wealthy, landowning Christians allowed their land to be used as burial places. The approximately 70  known catacombs are scattered outside the ancient walls of Rome. From the first through the fifth centuries, Christians dug an estimated 375 miles of tomb-lined tunnels, with networks of galleries as many as five stories deep. The volcanic tuff that Rome sits atop — soft and easy to cut, but hardens when exposed to air — was perfect for the job. The Christians burrowed many layers deep for two reasons: to get more mileage out of the donated land, and to be near martyrs and saints already buried there. Bodies were wrapped in linen (like Christ's). Since they figured the Second Coming was imminent, there was no interest in embalming the body.The underground tunnels, while empty of bones, are rich in early Christian symbolism, which functioned as a secret language. The dove represented the soul. You'll see it quenching its thirst (worshipping), with an olive branch (at rest), or happily perched (representing paradise). The shepherd with a lamb on his shoulders was the "good shepherd," the first portrayal of Christ as a kindly leader of his flock. The fish was used because the first letters of these words — "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior" — spelled "fish" in Greek. And the anchor is a cross in disguise. A second-century bishop had written on his tomb, "All who understand these things, pray for me." You'll see pictures of people praying with their hands raised up — the custom at the time. In the tombs we visited it is estimated half a million Christians were buried.  These were also the first churches where Christians worshipped to avoid persecution. In fact, a service was going on while we were there some 60 feet under ground. Roman law forbade groups to gather in public, so at great risk, the early Christians went instead down into the catacombs. When Christianity became "legal" with Constantine in 300, churches began to be built above ground.  Some of the earliest Christian symbols are found in the catacombs. Interesting to learn the "cross" went into vogue later. The first symbols were the fish, pictures of Jonah being spit by the whale (a sign of resurrection) and the anchor, which was the precursor to the cross.