Abstract

Two Italian terms give the idea of ​​the subject of the article: pure and chaste. The author originating from the profane meaning of the term pure, which gives the idea of ​​genuineness and integrity malcríale of things and people, passes on to the broader analysis of the cultural, moral meaning (chological (charismatic) of the second term. The a focuses on the biblical roots of chastity charisinatic and consecrated virginity. While the first its particular value in tradition Catholic Christian owes precisely to the biblical tradition (exclusive membership of Israel to God i quiinio its particular property), the second - and that is the consecrated virginity comes from pagan world (e.g. the vestals). In the practice of chastity and virginity consecrated Christianity scppe reconciled two values ​​that are in a certain sense incompatible: service to life and the sign prolic of the promised eschatological state of the saved.