Topic: Relics of the Saints

[ignatius]

In the early Church, relics of the Saints appear to be very efficacious but in our day such practices appear to be very unpopular, especially in the West. Is this something others have witnessed?

[Αριστοκλής]

Can you be a little more specific in your question?

[ignatius]

Can you be a little more specific in your question?

I asked a Priest (OCA Mission Parish) about Relics and he appeared dismissive. I felt like he thought it was superstitious and not really a modern understanding of the faith.

[arimethea]

I think you will find many Orthodox very reverent about the relics of the saints. There isn't so much a desire to keep them in ones possession but rather have them in a church or a monastery so that all may be have the ability to venerate them.

[Αριστοκλής]

Indeed. A local 50 year old ACROD parish recently had relics finally placed in their altar. Strangely, the entire parish, which was withering, is rejuvenating - suddenly growing again, contributions up markedly, people getting along better...superstitious? Maybe, but then...

[Jonathan]

In lots of Coptic Churches there are so many relics... and many of them just aren't legitimate... Bought from Catholics who really didn't know if they're who they said they were, or just dug up from a town where everyone was killed and all counted as martyrs, etc.  Tiny fragments of bones, some from the person claimed, some not.  So some people see these, are taught to kiss them, it seems silly and superstitious, people dislike it... But then many people tell me of trips to monasteries where they have real relics, and the miracles they have, and the way they feel in the presence of them... My church doesn't have any relics, because so many of them are fake, so my priest doesn't go after them.  But my priest also talks about the things he's seen, he's definitely not cold about relics, just abuses.  Probably a totally different situation in other Churches, but maybe similar things happen?

[Entscheidungsproblem]

My fiancee's friend was cured of crippling depression (plagued her for years, went for professional help, multiple suicide attempts, etc) at the Monastery of Ostrog, which is believed to hold the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog. 

Superstition?  I personally do not think so.

[Thomas]

Relics in the Orthodox Chuirch are deeply revered. Sadly except for some 8-10 currently Glorified Saints in the North America all of our relics must come from  other parts of the world from Churches and monasteries who by love and condescension grant us a sliver of this bone or a small fragment of that relic. We do not have whole or nearly whole uncorrupt bodies of the saints that one finds in the old country. I remember when we got a relic from St Raphael Hawaweeny, our parish was greatly blessed. It is now enshrined in a handwritten Icon and many members of our convert parish venerate it and ask for his prayers for the conversion of their lost sheep in their family to Orthodoxy. What a blessing! We have also been blessed to have a relic of Sy Justin Martyr, and St John Chrysostom.

Thomas