Relic facts for kids

Some of the Roman Catholics relics are two thousand years old

A relic is a special object that people keep because it belonged to someone very important. Often, these are items connected to religious figures. It could be a piece of their body, like a bone, or something they used, like a piece of clothing. People carefully preserve relics as a way to remember and honor these important individuals.

The word "relic" comes from the Latin word reliquiae, which means "remains." A reliquary is a special container or shrine built to hold one or more relics.

Relics are important in many different religions and belief systems around the world. You can find them in Buddhism, various types of Christianity, Hinduism, and shamanism. Some famous religious relics include the Tooth of Buddha, the Holy Grail, the Crown of Thorns, and the True Cross of Jesus. Other well-known examples are the Staff of Moses and the Sword of Muhammad.

What Are Relics?

A relic is usually an object that has a connection to a saint or a religious leader. People believe these items hold a special meaning or power because of who they belonged to. They are kept with great respect and are often displayed in churches or temples.

Types of Relics

There are different ways to classify relics, especially in Christianity:

• First-class relics: These are parts of the body of a saint. This could be a bone, hair, or even blood. They are considered the most important type of relic.
• Second-class relics: These are items that a saint owned or used often. Examples include clothing, books, or tools.
• Third-class relics: These are objects that have touched a first-class relic. Often, these are pieces of cloth that have been pressed against a saint's bone or tomb.

Why Are Relics Important?

Relics are important to many people for several reasons:

• Connection to the Past: They help people feel closer to religious figures who lived long ago. Touching or seeing a relic can make history feel more real.
• Inspiration and Faith: For many, relics inspire faith and devotion. They can remind believers of the saint's life and teachings.
• Miracles and Healing: Some people believe that relics have the power to perform miracles or bring healing. Pilgrims often travel long distances to visit shrines with relics.
• Tradition and History: Relics are a big part of the history and traditions of many religions. They are passed down through generations and help keep ancient stories alive.

Famous Relics Around the World

Many relics are famous because of their historical or religious significance.

• The Tooth of Buddha: This is a very important relic in Buddhism. It is believed to be a tooth of Buddha himself and is kept in a special temple in Sri Lanka.
• The Crown of Thorns: In Christianity, this relic is believed to be the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before his crucifixion. It is kept in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.
• The True Cross: Pieces of wood believed to be from the cross on which Jesus was crucified are found in various churches around the world.
• The Staff of Moses: This is a legendary staff mentioned in religious texts, believed to have been used by Moses.
• The Holy Grail: This is a legendary cup that Jesus is said to have used at the Last Supper. Its existence and location are debated, but it is a famous part of many stories.

Images for kids

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  Reliquary and skull of Saint Ivo of Kermartin (St. Yves or St. Ives) (1253–1303), in Tréguier, Brittany, France

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  Buddha relics from Kanishka's stupa in Peshawar, Pakistan, now in Mandalay, Burma (2005)

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  Reliquary at Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary in the United States, with relics of St. James, St. Matthew, St. Philip, St. Simon, St. Thomas, St. Stephen and other saints.

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  Relic from the shrine of Saint Boniface of Dokkum in the hermit-church of Warfhuizen: bone fragment in middle is from Saint Boniface; little folded papers on the left and right contain bone fragments of Saint Benedict of Nursia and Bernard of Clairvaux

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  St. Francis Xavier's humerus, St. Joseph's Church, Macau

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  First-class relic of Blessed Maria Gabriella OCSO

• Marie Rose Ferron 2d class soil relic.jpg

  Second-class relic (soil) from the grave of Marie Rose Ferron

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  Grapevine cross of Saint Nino of Georgia (Sioni Cathedral, Tbilisi, Georgia)

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  Relics of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified in the Catholicon of Mar Saba Monastery in the Kidron Valley

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  Reliquaries in the Church of San Pedro, in Ayerbe, Spain

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  The Seamless robe of Jesus in Trier Cathedral

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  Detail of the Girdle of Mary in the Basilica of Our Lady in Maastricht

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  The Shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral

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  Footprint of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, preserved in the türbe (funerary mausoleum) in Eyüp, Istanbul

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  Third-class relic (cloth) of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

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  St. Peter's chains, preserved in San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome, a second-class relic

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  Main Altar of St. Raphael's Cathedral, Dubuque, Iowa, containing the remains of Saint Cessianus, a boy martyred during the Diocletianic Persecution

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  Relics of St. Demetrius in the cathedral of Thessalonika, Greece

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  Relic of the True Cross, Decani Monastery, Serbia

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  Relic of Pope John Paul II, declared a saint in 2014, in the Hong Kong Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

See also

In Spanish: Reliquia para niños