holy relic
Venerated religious object
A holy relic is a physical object venerated for its connection to a saint, martyr, or sacred figure—typically a body part, piece of clothing, or item the person touched.
In Catholic and Orthodox traditions, relics are housed in churches and believed to channel divine power.
The term extends to any object revered for its association with something sacred or historically significant: The museum displayed holy relics from the medieval period.
- reliquaryContainer for sacred remains
- sacred objectItem of religious reverence
- Ark of the CovenantGold-plated acacia reliquary
- pilgrimageReligious journey to shrine
- chaliceOrnate ritual drinking vessel
glass case · veneration · icon · intercession · patron saint · True Cross · crypt · incorruptible · martyrdom · bones · canonization · sacredness · Shroud of Turin · bone fragment · sanctification · cathedral · medieval church · shrine
- church itemscrucifix, altarpiece, altar cloth, altar candles, monstrance
- Crusader Gearchainmail, surcoat, great helm, kite shield, cross pendant
- medieval lorefolktale, saga, fable, epic poem, chivalric romance
- pilgrimageshajj, pilgrimage route, pilgrims, Camino de Santiago, Mecca
- protective charmsevil eye charm, protective charm, hamsa, hamsa hand, amulet
- relicsbone, saints' relics, skull, tooth, bone fragments