The growing reverence for saints led to an increased
interest in relics. These included the bones of a saint and shreds of his
garments, besides such objects as the wood or nails of the cross on which
Christ suffered. Relics were not simply mementos; they were supposed to possess
miraculous power which passed into them through contact with holy persons. This
belief explains the use of relics to heal diseases, to ward off danger, and, in
general, to bring good fortune. An oath taken upon relics was especially
sacred. Every church building contained a collection of relics, sometimes
amounting to thousands in number, and even private persons often owned them.
PURGATORY
The Church also taught a belief in Purgatory as a state or
place of probation. [9] Here dwelt the souls of those who were guilty of no
mortal sins which would condemn them to Hell, but yet were burdened with
imperfections which prevented them from entering Heaven. Such imperfections, it
was held, might be removed by the prayers of the living, and hence the practice
arose of praying for the dead.
[9] The belief in Purgatory is not held by Protestants or
by members of the Greek Church.
