We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Theology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Christianity Relics?

By G. Melanson
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 8,079
Share

Christianity relics are objects of significance referenced in the New Testament or Christian lore. They may exist in modern times as debatably authentic, such as the Shroud of Turin and the Image of Edessa. Christianity relics may also be believed to exist or have existed at some point and are presently unlocated, such as the Holy Grail.

Modern-day capabilities such as carbon dating have been applied to certain Christianity relics in order to help determine their authenticity. For example, fragments of what is probably the most widely-known located Christianity relic, the Shroud of Turin, underwent carbon dating in 1988. Results indicated that the fragments were from the Middle Ages and that the cloth was therefore not old enough to be a Christianity relic or the authentic burial shroud of Jesus Christ. Critics of the carbon test, however, point out that particles remaining on The Shroud of Turin from a fire which occurred during the 1500s in the chapel where it was kept may have contaminated the test results.

The ancient basilica Santa Croce in Rome, as well as other Catholic and Orthodox churches throughout Europe, house what many believe to be pieces of the “True Cross” that Christ carried to his crucifixion. As with many other Christianity relics, the True Cross carries stories which attribute miraculous healing powers to the object. According to legend, the True Cross cured a woman of illness after it was found in 300 CE by the Empress Helena.

The Holy Grail, which is supposedly the cup, bowl or plate used by Christ at the Last Supper, is perhaps the most legendary of all unlocated Christianity relics due to its connection to Arthurian folklore. According to other legends, the Holy Grail was used to catch the blood of Christ upon his crucifixion. In the popular novel and film, The Da Vinci Code, the Holy Grail is portrayed as a symbol for the womb of Mary Magdalene, who supposedly carried Christ’s child and subsequently passed down his bloodline. In The Da Vinci Code storyline, this “true” meaning of the Holy Grail is kept closely guarded and passed down throughout history by a few select members of the Priory of Sion.

Lesser-known Christianity relics include The Iron Crown of Lombardy and Bridle of Constantine, which are said to have been fashioned from the nails used during the crucifixion; The Holy Prepuce, the foreskin said to have been removed from Christ during circumcision; as well as the Gifts of the Magi given to Christ at his birth.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-are-christianity-relics.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.