Relics in the Christian Faith

Furthermore, the history of the Faith attests to the importance of Relics:

St. Cyril, after referring to the miracle wrought by the body of Eliseus, declares that the restoration to life of the corpse with which it was in contact took place: "to show that even though the soul is not present a virtue resides in the body of the saints, because of the righteous soul which has for so many years tenanted it and used it as its minister". And he adds, "Let us not be foolishly incredulous as though the thing had not happened, for if handkerchiefs and aprons which are from without, touching the body of the diseased, have raised up the sick, how much more should the body itself of the Prophet raise the dead?" (Cat., xviii, 16.)

About Christian Relic Rescue

Rescue of Relics
Christian Relic Rescue (CRR), founded in 2002, obtains (usually through purchase) as many First and Second Class Relics of Christian Saints as possible from auctioneers, antiquities dealers, and unauthorized individuals for the purpose of placing the Relics, at no cost, in Faith Communities where they receive the Christian veneration for which they were intended. Like the Knights of old, CRR considers these purchases as rescue and ransom of the Holy Ones of Christianity.

Placement of Relics
Relics are issued by officials of the Vatican through responsible persons. The Orthodox also issue relics. However, there are many Faith Communities which do not have access to Relics of the Saints, including Anglican Communities, certain Orthodox churches and monastic communities, and Orders of Chivalry. It is to these established groups that CRR makes Relics available at no cost, and their members receive these Relics of the Saints with great joy. CRR does not sell first or second class Relics, does not require money from any Faith Community for Relic placement, and it does not place first or second class Relics in the hands of private persons.

Authenticity of Relics
It is commonly held that most Relics are medieval "fakes" manufactured during the dark ages, but that idea is simply wrong. The false relics of olden days were manufactured by persons pretending to be monks and religious; when the Church saw these abuses, it clamped down, swept up and destroyed the fakes, and centralized the distribution of Relics in the Vatican where competent authority made certain that Relics were genuine. Authenticity of the Relics placed by CRR is verified through research of origin and by experienced examination of the items, including the "theca," the receptacle which holds the Relic. Each Relic placed comes with an Authentic issued by CRR.

The Sponsor of CRR
CRR is a charity of The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, an ecumenical and international Order of Chivalry not affiliated with the Roman Catholic or any other Church and open to all Christians who qualify for Knighthood. The Order believes that the "rescue" of Relics is an important service of Chivalry. If you did not come to this site from the Order of the Holy Sepulchre main page, then information regarding this Order of Knights and about Knighthood and Chivalry in general may be obtained by clicking HERE.

About Relics

• the First Class Relic is the body or a portion of the body of a Saint; example: bone, flesh, or hair. These are considered so precious that they are rarely entrused to individuals, but are placed in Faith Communities.

• the Second Class Relic is an item or piece of an item used by the Saint while in the body; example: clothing, Bible, Breviary, Mass vestments, and so on. Again, second class Relics are considered so precious that they are rarely entrused to individuals, but are placed in Faith Communities.

• the Third Class Relic is something that has been touched to the body (or to a portion of the body) of a Saint. Generally, the Third Class Relic is a piece of cloth, but it need not be, as long as the item so touched conveys holiness and is touched with the intent that it be a third class Relic. Third class Relics may be given to individuals, and may be sold.

• the Fourth Class Relic, somewhat less known, is something that has been touched to a Second Class Relic of a Saint. Generally, the Fourth Class Relic is a piece of cloth, but it need not be, as long as the item so touched conveys holiness and is touched with the intent that it be a fourth class Relic. Again, fourth class Relics may be given to individuals, and may be sold.

Application for Relic of the First or Second Class

The CRR Associate

Can you help CRR by becoming a CRR Associate? The funds used by CRR to rescue Relics are donated by Knights of various Orders and by other generous persons who wish to be associated with the movement to reclaim the Relics for the Faithful. Many CRR Associates hold raffles, bake sales, and yard sales to raise funds for CRR, and some Associates even donate on behalf of their Churches and religious groups. Many Associates donate whatever and whenever they can. To each person who makes one or more donations to the work of Rescue, CRR is happy to enlist him or her as a CRR Associate, provide a certificate of membership, and, finally, place Relics of the Third Class in the custody of the Associate.

If you would like to be a CRR Associate, you may make a donation of any amount to CRR using your credit card at a secure site (PayPal). Simply click on the button, below, and follow the instructions. The Associate best knows her or his ability to help, so we are happy to receive any amount. On the donation form, please tell us what Saint's Third Class Relic you would like to receive from us as a token of your work with us. We cannot guarantee that particular Saint, but we will do our best.

Another Way to Help CRR!