Does the Vatican’s Origin Lie in ‘Witches’ Hill’?

Istanbul – Historian and expert in the history of religions, Lütfi Özşahin, made a striking claim regarding the origin of the name of the Vatican, the center of the Catholic world, during a program he attended. Stating that the name “Vatican” derives from the Latin word “Vates,” meaning “prophet” or “sorcerer,” and that it was founded on a site considered sacred even before Christianity, which could be referred to as “Witches’ Hill” or “Hill of Prophecy,” Özşahin implied that this origin might be related to the Vatican’s mysterious and powerful structure. Özşahin also made significant statements on numerous topics such as the Vatican’s structure, its role in global politics, its secret archives, and claims regarding the lineage of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that the Vatican is not merely a spiritual center but also a formidable political and economic powerhouse.

(Brief Info: Who is Lütfi Özşahin?)

Lütfi Özşahin is a historian specializing in the history of religions, medieval history, and inter-civilizational relations. He is particularly known for his research and publications on Vatican history, Christian theology, and secret societies. Besides his academic work, he hosts informative programs on history and religion on various platforms.

Origin of the Name Vatican and the Sacred Hill

Sharing details about the origin of the Vatican’s name on the program, Historian Özşahin reiterated that the name comes from the Latin word “Vates.” Özşahin said, “Vatican Hill, where the Vatican stands today, was considered a sacred place in the hierarchy of gods of the Roman Empire even before Christianity. ‘Vates’ means prophet, sorcerer, or seer of the future. Therefore, the Vatican was a place attributed with sanctity, which could mean ‘Witches’ Hill’ or ‘Hill of Prophecy’.” Reminding that according to Christian theology, St. Peter, one of Jesus Christ’s apostles, preached on this hill upon arriving in Rome and was martyred there, Özşahin stated that the Vatican was built upon this dual layer of sanctity (both pagan and Christian). “From a history of religions perspective, Vatican Hill can be seen as a ‘theophany,’ a place where the sacred manifested,” he added.

Why Did the Popes Move from Lateran to the Vatican?

Özşahin noted that Popes initially resided not in the Vatican but in the Lateran region of Italy. “Popes moved from Lateran to the Vatican several hundred years after St. Peter’s Basilica and the current square were built and completed. That is, the Vatican became a center where Popes settled later on,” he shared.

The Structure of the Vatican: The Heart of a Civilization

Emphasizing that the architectural structure of the Vatican is a historical and artistic treasure, Özşahin said: “I have visited the Vatican many times. It bears traces of many architectural styles, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, from the classical period to the modern. Its massive dome, interior design, the square… I am not an art historian, but from what I’ve seen, it reflects the entire architectural and artistic heritage of the Catholic world and European civilization.”

Özşahin stated that the Vatican is not just a building complex but also a place where Christian history can be read through the paintings on its walls, its sculptures, and even the tombs of the Popes. “Portraits of important saints, tombs of significant popes like Pope John XXIII who initiated the Second Vatican Council are there. When you enter the structure, statues of Peter and Paul greet you. All these, combined with its architecture and art, show that the Vatican houses the entire history of Europe in artistic, architectural, historical, and documentary terms. We can say that the heart of Western civilization, at least in its written form, beats there.”

Secret Archives: Is World History Hidden in the Vaults?

Pointing out that one of the most curious aspects of the Vatican is its secret archives and vaults, Özşahin highlighted the importance of these archives: “The Vatican Library and archives host some of the world’s most important manuscripts. Relations between religion and politics in Europe, divisions within Christianity, heterodox movements, Ottoman-Papal relations, correspondence between kings and the Papacy… In short, priceless documents that could illuminate the entire history of Europe are there. It is said there are secret sections accessible only to the Pope or cardinals with special permission.”

Özşahin also touched upon various speculations regarding these vaults: “It is even claimed that a time machine is hidden there. There are also rumors about a deviant history of the Vatican, such as scandals from the Borgia era, claims of the Pope organizing sex parties, and the story of the female Pope Gilberta (Joan VIII). The Vatican is a deep well; you’d be bewildered about which event to delve into, where you might end up. You could stumble upon traces of many dark events in these archives, from an assassination in Argentina to a cardinal running a drug ring, from the Vatican operating brothels to the killing of scientists.”

The Pope’s Duty and Power: Spiritual Leader or Political Actor?

Explaining the role of the Pope, Özşahin said the Pope is considered the successor of St. Peter, the chief apostle of Jesus Christ. “Peter means ‘Rock’ (Kifas/Cephas) in Hebrew. Jesus Christ pointed to Peter when he said, ‘Upon this rock I will build my church.’ The Pope is the successor of this rock, Peter,” said Özşahin, adding that according to Catholic belief, the Pope is considered infallible in religious matters and is the sole authority.

While stating the Pope’s primary duty, as mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, is to Christianize the whole world “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” Özşahin emphasized that the Pope’s power is not limited to this: “The Vatican gained state status with the Lateran Treaty (Concordat) signed with Italy in 1929. The Pope is also the head of the Vatican City State. It’s a complex state structure with its Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs (often the same person), radio, television, and bank.”

Özşahin drew attention to the extent of the Vatican’s global power: “It has nearly 1,500 colleges and close to 400 universities worldwide. This means immense intellectual power. The Vatican Bank is alleged to play a role in many conspiracies, from money laundering involving drug money to global economic fluctuations. The Pope is the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics, but this power is not just spiritual; it is also political. The Pope’s words have a political impact on Catholics.”

The Inner Structure of the Vatican: Jesuits, Opus Dei, and Others

Mentioning the different structures that constitute the Vatican’s power, Özşahin touched upon the Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Opus Dei: “The Jesuits mostly form the intellectual segment, the scholars. Dominicans and Franciscans are more ascetic, closer to the people, sincere believers. However, one of the most important is Opus Dei (‘God’s Work’). This structure consists of the secular segment; businessmen, politicians, lawyers, artists, etc. They form the secular arm of the Vatican and provide immense political and financial support from the outside. It is even said that Opus Dei holds the greatest power behind the scenes in Papal elections.”

The Vatican’s Biggest Secret: The Bloodline of Jesus Christ?

Addressing the secrets of the Vatican, one of the most merak edilen topics on the program, Özşahin discussed popular theories like the Holy Grail and the Secret of Fatima, but claimed that, in his opinion, the biggest secret is the lineage of Jesus Christ:

“If you ask me, the Vatican’s biggest secret is the lineage of Jesus Christ. Official Christianity (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant) accepts that Jesus Christ did not marry and his lineage did not continue. However, even in the Gospels, you can discern a husband-wife relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus. Magdalene touching Jesus’ hair, his hands, traveling alone together… According to Jewish law, this is only possible if they are married. Also, in Judaism, a Rabbi (teacher) must be married; Jesus was also a Rabbi.”

Özşahin suggested that Jesus Christ had children from Mary Magdalene and that this lineage continued: “These children might have gone to Egypt with his mother Mary, and from there to Europe (France, Spain). It is claimed that the Merovingian Dynasty descended from this line. The Carolingians might have massacred this lineage when they came to power. If the lineage of Jesus emerges, today’s Christian theology, the Papacy, would collapse. Because they deified Jesus, who was a normal Jewish prophet. The secret of how Jesus was turned into a god and the fate of his lineage could be the biggest secret hidden by the Vatican. The legend of the Holy Grail actually symbolizes the lineage of Jesus (the womb, the place where the lineage continued).”

A Power Center Shrouded in Mystery

Historian Lütfi Özşahin’s statements once again revealed that the Vatican is far more than just a religious center; it is a complex powerhouse that shapes history, has deep impacts on global politics and economy, and harbors secrets and controversies. Particularly, the connection of the Vatican’s name origin to “Witches’ Hill” and the claims about the lineage of Jesus Christ leave questions in mind about how much of the truth lying in the mysterious corridors of the Vatican will ever come to light.

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