Friday, January 8, 2010

Deo optim maxim sacrum


Notre Dame St. Eglise : Ferney-Voltaire, FR

Most of the Latin and Greek I learned was years ago when I was studying medical terminology. Unfortunately, it is of little use to me in my effort to translate the words above the door of Notre Dame St. Eglise in Ferney. I know "Deo" means god or deity, but beyond that I'm stuck. Anyone out there know Latin?

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

7 comments:

Eeyore said...

Google brought me right back here, but a little more searching indicated possibly "To God, the Best, the Greatest, and Most Sacred", although it is spelled a little differently (Optimo and Maximo). So maybe it's "To God, the Good, the Great, and the Sacred."

Countess Von Blogula said...

All I know is that it is Sacred: the church and your image of it.

Cele said...

I am laughing (at myself) because in my plan ignorant I can figure out anything if I try way, I read it as...
Deo = God
Optim = the best
Maxim = the most or the biggest
sacrvm - sacred or sanctum

Then I went to a translator. shaking head.

Mo said...

Thank goodness for buildings like these to remind us of the past.

Janet M Kincaid said...

Larry: I tried translator programs and got nada. I should have just used Google. Thanks for doing that for me!

Countess: Thank you!

Cele: That's okay. I'm shaking my head that I didn't think to just type it into Google, like Larry did. D'oh!

Mo: AMEN! Compared to some of the other "Soviet" style buildings around here, this one's a gem.

Maya said...

My dad knows Latin. Nice shot!

gergis said...

"To God, most good, most great, sacred."

DEO OPTIMO MAXIMO: To God, most good, most great

SACRUM: sacred / holy

Or, more simply: "[This church is] sacred to God, the best and greatest."