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Questions tagged [relics]

A part of a deceased person's body or belongings who was regarded as holy(saint), kept as an object of reverence

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How does the Catholic Church identify and collect relics?

I have been told that all major Catholic churches contain within the altar a relic of a saint. Given that saints are not declared until long after the death of the person in question, and many saints ...
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7 votes
2 answers
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Why do the Catholics and Orthodox keep relics and bone fragments? Isn't this disrespect for the body?

In Orthodoxy, cremation after death is not permitted. It is not preferred in Catholicism. This is because of the strong respect for the integrity of the body. Both traditions are also strongly pro-...
Alex's user avatar
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3 votes
6 answers
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How do Protestants explain the incorruptibility of Catholic and Orthodox saints?

As far as I know, there is a vast body of evidence of incorruptibility of some saints in Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Here is a picture of the incorruptible relic of St. Aleksandr Svirskij from ...
brilliant's user avatar
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8 votes
1 answer
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How did Luther view relics, like the 'preserved head of John the Baptist'?

According to wiki  Roman Catholic tradition holds that the head on display in San Silvestro in Capite in Rome is that of John the Baptist, discovered for the second time, as also maintained by Pope ...
Mike's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
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Do holy relics lose power over time?

Do holy relics lose power over time? It seems as if holy relics account for fewer miracles than in times past. The handkerchiefs of Paul had incredible power to heal (Acts 19: 12). Today one seldom ...
gideon marx's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
937 views

What were the circumstances behind the loss of the "True Cross?"

It is my understanding that there was a relic, used by the Crusaders, that was claimed to be the very Cross on which Jesus was crucified. I also understand that sometime around 1187, it was captured ...
Affable Geek's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
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Why are relics that can perform miracles not idols?

In reviewing the idol vs. icon issue, the top answer to What is the difference between icons and idols in churches that permit icons? defines an idol as "something worshipped as divine under the ...
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3 votes
1 answer
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What explanation did the Catholic Church give regarding the incorruptible bodies? [closed]

We all have heard about the incorruptible bodies within the Catholic Church tradition. Was there any scientific explanation given to the Roman Catholic Church or did the Church give a scientific ...
Grasper's user avatar
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2 votes
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Are relics only considered first class if they were collected from a Saint's dead body?

I was seemingly corrected that St. Maximillian has no first class relics since some of his hairs apparently were found (collected prior to his death). Would these be first class relics or second ...
Peter Turner's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
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Five related questions regarding the relics which consecrate Roman Catholic altars?

The altars in Roman Catholic churches must be consecrated with a saint's relic (preferably a martyred saint). These "relics" are body parts, usually a small bone fragment but sometimes what ...
Mike Borden's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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Where are the Mormon "relics"?

There were several Sacred items that were buried with the Plates of Gold by the prophet Moroni: "Having removed the earth, I obtained a lever, which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, and ...
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Is partaking of the Holy Eucharist the key to incorruptibility of the saints?

The Incorruptibles by Joan Caroll Cruz has many stories about incorruptible saints. These saints with incorruptible bodies are Catholic, and I never heard any Protestant, other non-Catholic ...
jong ricafort's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
20 views

Sts. Mary & Joseph's house = Sts. Joachim & Anna's house?

Is the House of Loreto (originally in Nazareth, but later miraculously transported to Loreto, Italy) Sts. Mary & Joseph's house or Sts. Joachim & Anna's, or was it both of theirs? Did St. ...
Geremia's user avatar
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