How Are Orthodox Relics Identified and Authenticated?

There is no single worldwide procedure used in every century and every Orthodox jurisdiction to authenticate relics. Their identification often depends on provenance: the documented history of where a relic came from and how it was preserved.

What evidence may accompany a relic? Depending on its history, a relic may have church records, inscriptions, seals, certificates, a known reliquary, or a documented chain of ecclesiastical custody.

Can every ancient relic be scientifically proven? No. Scientific testing may answer some physical questions, but it usually cannot by itself establish the identity of a particular saint. Historical documentation remains important.

See also Why Are the Relics of Orthodox Saints Sometimes Divided?.