The body from which the soul has departed; a corpse; especially, the body, or some part of the body, of a deceased saint or martyr; -- usually in the plural when referring to the whole body.
An object venerated by believers because it was associated with a saint; a relic could be something owned by the saint, such as a piece of clothing or a book, but most often was a part of the saint's body. (Lynch, Joseph H. The Medieval Church: A Brief History, 365) Related terms: Reliquary
an object from the past of memorial interest for people such as the bone of a saint
A holy object or portion of a holy object that maintained a mystical connection with the holy. There were many false relics pawned during the Middle Ages, forgeries no different from the art fakes now sold. Relics were often used to swear upon, perhaps the bones of a saint, a portion of the True Cross, or some such was touched in the impromptu ceremony of an oath. Relics were also incorporated into other objects with the hope that the connection with the holy would transmit something of that holy character to the larger artifact. Swords sometimes worked relics into the pommels and in churches, altars were contained some object thought to be a relic.
a sacramental -- not a holy rabbit's foot or good luck charm
a tangible connection to the holy person
the mortal remains, or any components thereof, of a saint; believed to embody the miraculous powers of the saint
The body or part of the body of a Saint or any Sacred momento. Relics are sometimes pieces of cloth worn by the Saint or in some cases, a Holy person.
a part of the body of a saint including clothing, jewelry, etc. The relic is considered holy due to its association with the saint.
an object associated with a saint, martyr, or Christ which is preserved and seen as worthy of special honor and reverence
A sacred object venerated because of its association to a martyr or saint, in certain instances, remains of the saint.
An item closely associated with a holy person or saint, usually a part of that persons body or clothing.
An object or part of an object that has a connection with the past. Usually a religious object, e.g. bodily part of a saint.