Christian relic

A Christian relic is a physical object venerated for its connection to a saint, martyr, or sacred event—typically body parts, clothing, or items the holy figure touched.

Relics range from bone fragments and vials of blood to splinters of the True Cross.

Medieval churches competed to acquire relics, believing they channeled divine power and drew pilgrims: The cathedral's most prized Christian relic was a finger bone of St. Thomas.