by: chris kazun. relics do you know what a relic is? relics are objects that are associated with a...
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RelicsDo you know what a relic is?Relics are objects that are associated with a
saint or martyr.Relics of a martyr are often more prized than
those of other saintsThere are three types (the first two types are
the most important)1) Primary Relic (First-Class)2) Secondary Relic (Second- Class)3) Third-Class Relic
Primary RelicsItems associated
with Jesus’ life (ie: manger, cross, etc.)
Physical remains of a saint or martyr could be an entire
skeletonmost often is only a
piece of the saint (a bone, hair, tooth, a limb, blood, etc.)
Secondary RelicsAn item that the
saint wore (a shirt, a glove, a cloak, a sock, etc.)
Also could be other items that the saint owned a crucifix, a rosary,
a book, etc.The more important
to a saints life, the more important a relic it is
Third-Class RelicSomething that
touched the body of a saint after deathie: container the
relic was inside, cloth that the relic rested on, etc.
OrSomething that
touched the shrine or reliquary of the saint
What are relics kept in?Relics in churches or
chapels are usually kept in one of two places:inside the Altarin a "reliquary."
Reliquaries can be a variety of shapes ie; boxes, Noah's
Arks, caskets, the shape of an arm, leg, head, etc.
some are exquisite specimens of gold and silver smithing.
Beliefs about RelicsSupposedly contain a holy spiritual residue
from the saint they are related tothe saint may be dead, but their holy essence
is contained in their bones, and objects used by the saint
connection between the remains and the soul that has departed from them and the great souls whose remains are left to
us have a sacred power in themThey are alive with a holy presence
Where does this tradition start?Many cultures in the world have relic
traditionsWith Christianity it begins during the
persecutionsSpecifically with the martyrdom of St.
Polycarp in 155 A.D.
St. Polycarp of SmyrnaBishop of SmyrnaVery respected in the
Christian communityTireless defender of
Christian beliefsArrested for being a
ChristianThe governor wanted
to save himasked him to curse
Christ in public, to be spared
Polycarp refuses
Polycarp Cont.Sentenced to be burned aliveFlames didn’t harm him, executioner kills him
with a daggerHis body is then burned
After Polycarp’s Martyrdomhis admirers in Smyrna wrote:
“We took up his bones, which are more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold, and laid them in a suitable place, where the Lord will permit us to gather ourselves together, as we are able, in gladness and joy and to celebrate the birthday of his martyrdom.”
This event begins the veneration (honouring) of saints
Explanation of VenerationSt. Jerome eloquently explained the practice this way:
“We do not worship, we do not adore, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than to the creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore him whose martyrs they are.” (Ad Riparium, XXII, 907)
St. Thomas Aquinas says,“we ought to honor any relics of theirs in a fitting manner: principally their bodies, which were temples, and organs of the Holy Ghost dwelling and operating in them, and are destined to be likened to the body of Christ by the glory of the Resurrection. Hence God Himself fittingly honors such relics by working miracles at their presence.” (Summa Theologica)
IncorruptibleBelieved that the bodies of saints are
incorruptibleMeaning that after death the bodies of saints
to not decay as normal people’s bodiesBodies show little or no decomposition, or
delayed decompositionSaints bodies are said to have the odour of
sanctity, exuding a sweet or floral, pleasant aroma.
Result of God’s intervention because of the holiness of the person
Authenticity QuestionsThere will always be doubts as to the
authenticity of some relicsIe: the True Cross
already in the middle ages, one scholar said that if you were to put all the relics of the true cross together, you could build a ship (Noah’s ark)
However some relics defy explanation.
St. JanuariusBishop of NaplesMartyred in 305
A.D.Some of his blood
was saved after his death
His blood liquefies three times a yearSept. 19, Dec. 16,
and the Saturday before the first Sunday of May