Holy Relics

I guess no one here cares about relics much.

The last thing I heard of the True Cross, the Romans/Byzantines had recaptured it from the Persians in 627. I think I'm a bit out of date.

Sts Constantine and Helen, did find the Crucifix used to hang Jesus Christ. It was captured by the Arabs (I think it was the Persians, however) and yes, as you state Constantine XI, it was recaptured by Heraclius. Unfortunately, I am not too familiar with what became of it afterwards. I do know that a select few of the monasteries on Mount Athos, for example, do have small portions of it. Again, I am not too sure how many remnants of it made it to the West.

As regards other relics, R_AK47, your best bet would be monasteries all over Europe. I can really only vouch for Greek Orthodox monasteries though.

Can I ask, what are your reasons for this interest?

@NikeBG

I too have heard of this theorem, but three points stand out:

a) the Theology of the Cross which has it that Jesus as Man and God (=Θεάνθρωπο` 2; ) comes down from heaven to save Man and then raises Man to Resurrection and the horizontal pylon symbolising God's love for Man (read humanity when I state "Man").

b) St Helen and the iconographic depiction of the Cross, the famous Feast of the "Raising of the Cross" is always shown as a "cross" and not as a singular plank.

c) If the Romans used a singluar plank, then maybe they were "sensitive" to Jewish custom (not wishing to inflame them, etc.) and were not want to utilising something which may have caused an upset populace. Then again, there is nothing to say that even if the Romans did use a singular plank, that they did not use a more extreme form of torture.

In case, the Romans were not unknown for their usage of the cross as a joint-planked utensil. St Andrew in Patra was crucified on a cross... as exeplified by the letter "X". St Peter when crucified in Rome, was hung upside down.

If you are asking for archaeological evidence, I am sure one of the other guys will be of better use here

Originally posted by Origen Can I ask, what are your reasons for this interest?

Because those who possess the relics are destined for honor and glory.

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I find you a little superstitious.
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Well, perhaps a little.  I would very much like to have some of these relics.

Saint Francis Xavier Goa.

The body of the saint is still enshrined at Goa in the church which formerly belonged to the Society. In 1614 by order of Claudius Acquaviva, General of the Society of Jesus, the right arm was severed at the elbow and conveyed to Rome, where the present altar was erected to receive it in the church of the Gesu.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06233b.htm

Hey Maju got some information for you.Saint Francis Xavier was a Basque.

What about this mana water I hear of that is oozing from the bones of Saint Nicholas?  Anyone have any info on that?

How big was the piece of the True Cross lost at Hattin (I was under the impression that it was a large piece) and what became of it?  Are there any ways to acquire small pieces of it?

Originally posted by R_AK47 How big was the piece of the True Cross lost at Hattin (I was under the impression that it was a large piece) and what became of it?  Are there any ways to acquire small pieces of it?

It's been calculated that if all the alleged pieces of the Cross existing today were true, they would be enough to form a small forest