Reliquaries

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the origins of the Christian tradition of reliquaries, more commonly known as capsellas. It shows how these religious relics usually hold the remains of people considered holy to the religion, such as saints, or they hold what is believed to be pieces of the original Cross, traces of holy blood, etc. The paper traces the history of capsellas from the time of the Wandering Jew, through the middle ages until contemporary times. The paper also shows how miracles within communities are attributed to these reliquaries.

From the Paper:

"Perhaps the most impressive reliquary still existing is known as The Shrine of the Three Kings, which is located now at the Cologne Cathedral. When Milan was taken in1162, the proclaimed relics of the Magi were brought to Cologne, where they were housed in a body sized finely worked silver casket. In form it appears to imitate the architecture of a church. Another from another date with stonework is supposedly connected to the name of Charlemagne. Charlemagne, himself was a great believer in relics. He wanted the talisman, not for their aesthetic value, but to tap into the power of the relic to help his military campaigns."

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