Relics are physical remains of saints or objects closely associated with holy persons and the life of the Church. Orthodox Christians treat authentic relics with reverence because Christian faith affirms both the holiness of the body and the future resurrection.
Are relics worshiped? No. Worship belongs to God alone. Honor shown to a saint's relics is veneration, related to the honor given to the saint whose life belonged to Christ.
Why can a saint's body be divided into small relics? Historically, relics have sometimes been divided so that more than one church or community could receive a small portion for veneration. A single saint can therefore have relics in many places.
Does every claimed relic have the same historical certainty? No. Relics come from many centuries and historical circumstances, and documentation varies. Christian reverence should not require pretending that every attribution has identical archaeological proof.
The distinction between honor and worship is also explained in Why Do Orthodox Christians Venerate Saints?.
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Established with the blessing of V. Rev. Fr. Wiaczeslaw, Rector of Orthodox Christian Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord (NY). |
