Relics
Categories: uncategorized
Date: 25 May 2005 01:38:43
Today we commemorate The Third Finding of the Honourable Head of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John. I do confess I had a bit of a snigger as I read the feast in my diary this morning.
But relics are a true treasure of the church. As Kallistos Ware says in his book 'The Orthodox Church', "Because Orthodox are convinced that the body is sanctified and transfigured with the soul, they have an immense reverence for the relics of the saints. Like Roman Catholics, they believe that the grace of God present in the saints' bodies during life remains active in their relics when they have died, and that God uses these relics as a channel of divine power and an instrument of healing."
This is a hard teaching for me. Perhaps I have been too eager to separate the material and spiritual, and thus I have difficulty in seeing how anything material can be a means of blessing. It is a constant struggle of mine as I look into the Orthodox faith. If anyone out there has any suggestions as to readings on relics, please let me know in the comments.
 | As a divine treasure hidden in the ground Was your head revealed to us by Christ, O prophet and forerunner. We have gathered in commemoration of this finding With inspired hymns of praise to the Saviour, Who saves us from corruption through your prayers! Troparion By giving your venerable head to a sinful woman, Kontakion |