Holy Relics 

The Tradition of Holy Relics

The term “Holy Relics” (Greek: Αγίων Λείψανα) refers to the material remains of a saint after their repose, or to items that have come into direct contact with their sanctified body.

Scriptural and Historical Foundations

Christians of antiquity gathered the remains of those who were martyred for Christ—such as St. Ignatius the God-bearer, St. Polycarp of Smyrna, and St. Irenaeus of Lyons. With deep scriptural basis, the early Church:

• Constructed churches directly over the remains of the martyrs.

• Erected altars and tables of oblation over their graves.

• Celebrated the Holy Eucharist upon these sacred sites.

A Living Liturgical Practice

For members of the Eastern Orthodox Christian Church—which stands second in number of adherents only to the Roman Catholic Church—the pious veneration of Holy Relics remains a vibrant, living tradition:

• Accessibility: Holy Relics are kept accessible to the faithful for veneration within churches and monasteries.

• Liturgical Calendar: The Church calendar frequently commemorates the historical translocation (translation) of these sacred objects.

• Hymnography: Prayers and hymns throughout Orthodox liturgical texts consistently invoke the saints and honor their sanctified remains.

• The Altar Table: As a testament to this unbroken history, holy relics are embedded within every single consecrated Altar Table in both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions.