Home > Alleged relics of Jesus

The Shroud of Turin is perhaps the most well-known Christian relic; its authenticity was questioned due to radiocarbon dating analysis performed in 1988, the accuracy of which has itself been subsequently questioned. The earlier measured sample was generally agreed to have been thrown off by contamination on the shroud, though retests are also debated, and it remains a controversial item.

Other alleged relics include:

• Pieces of the True Cross
• The Iron Crown of Lombardy and Bridle of Constantine, said to be made from nails used during the crucifixion
• The Holy Prepuce or foreskin of Jesus, removed during his circumcision
• The Spear of Destiny or Spear of Longinus, used to pierce Jesus' side when he was on the cross, to ensure that he had died.
• The Crown of Thorns which was placed upon the head of Jesus at his crucifixionJesus typically, and inaccurately, show him supported by nails through the palms. Crucifixion is an ancient method of execution, in which the victim was tied or nailed to a large wooden cross ( Latin: crux and left to hang there until dead. Crucifixion ha by Pontius PilatePontius Pilate ( Latin Pontius Pilatus was the governor of the small Roman province of Judea from 26 until 36? AD although Tacitus believed him to be the procurator of that province. According to the Christian Gospels, he presided at the trial of Jesus an
• The Holy GrailIn Christian mythology, the Holy Grail was the dish or cup, which Jesus used at the Last Supper, or alternatively a vessel that caught his blood during his crucifixion, or sometimes both. It was said to have the power to heal all wounds. A theme joined to which is said to have been used by Jesus during the Last Supper
• Veronica's Veil, used to wipe the sweat from Jesus' brow as he carried the cross
• The Seamless robe of JesusThe seamless robe of Jesus is the robe said to have been worn by Jesus during his crucifixion. According to the Gospel of John, the soldiers who crucified Jesus did not divide his tunic after crucifying him, but cast lots to determine who would keep it be, which is kept at the cathedral of TrierTrier or Treves is Germany's oldest city. It is situated on the western bank of the Moselle River in a valley between low vine-covered hills of ruddy sandstone. It is located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate near the German border with Luxembourg.
• the " Icon Not Made by HandsAccording to a legend recorded by Eusebius of Caesarea, King Abgarus of Edessa wrote to Jesus, asking him to come cure him of an illness. Instead, the apostle Thaddaeus is said to have come, bearing a cloth with the image of Jesus, the Image of Edessa or" that He allegedly sent to the King of Edessa
• the Sudarium of Oviedo
• the Holy Sponge
• the Holy Umbilical Cord
• hair
• tears
• blood
• milk teeth

Naturally, there are no alleged relics of his bones, because of Christianity's belief in Jesus' bodily resurrection.

Many modern Christians, however, do not accept any of these as true relics. Indeed, this skepticism has been around for centuries, with Erasmus joking that so much wood formed parts of the True Cross, that Jesus must have been crucified on a whole forest.

In 2002, an ossuary with the inscription Ya`aqov bar Yosef akhui di Yeshua` (" James son of Joseph brother of Jesus") came to light under questionable provenance and was thought by some to be historical evidence for Jesus's "brother" James. On June 18, 2003, the Israeli Antiquities Authority published a report concluding that the inscription on the ossuary is a modern forgery based on their analysis of the patina. It appears that the inscription was added recently and made to look old by addition of a chalk solution. The dealer, Oded Golan , was arrested at his Tel Aviv home July 21, on suspicion of forging ancient artifacts. He was released on July 25; as of August 8 charges had not yet been filed against him. Allegedly, authorities found forgery equipment and partially completed forgeries in Oded Golan's home.