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Encyclopedia of Religion entry forAdoration of RelicsThe relics of departed saints and martyrs have been objects of worship in the Christian Church, and are still venerated by Roman Catholics. Such relics include their bodies, " fragments of their bodies, articles or portions of articles which they have used, such as clothes, vestments, rosaries, and the like "; in the case of Jesus, " the holy nails, lance, spear, or fragments of the True Cross "; and, in the case of Mary, " the girdle, veil, etc." (Addis and Arnold). The explanation given of this veneration is (1) that the saints were living members of Christ and their bodies the temples of the Holy Ghost; and (2) that God sometimes makes their relics instruments of healing and other miracles, and bestows " spiritual graces on those who with pure hearts keep and honour them." See Oath. Dict. citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12 |
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