Why Are the Relics of Orthodox Saints Sometimes Divided?

Relics of a saint are sometimes divided so that more than one church or monastery can preserve a physical connection with that saint and honor the saint's memory.

Does a small fragment mean there are multiple bodies? No. A relic may be a very small fragment of bone or another material associated with the saint. The number of reliquaries therefore cannot be compared directly with the number of saints' bodies.

Does this remove every historical question about relics? No. Claims about particular relics have different histories and documentation. Orthodox reverence for relics does not require treating every historical claim as equally certain.

For the basic meaning of relics, see What Are Relics in Orthodox Christianity?.