medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
In the account of the Martyrdom of Polycarp (mid-2nd c), the grandaddy of all surviving martyrdom accounts, the Christian believers petitioned the magistrate to be permitted to collect the bone fragments left after Polycarp was burned. Ashes are not terribly durable but bones normally do survive the relatively lower temperatures of a pyre. (Commercial crematoria burn at much higher temperatures and even there they have to burn and reburn?? to reduce to nothing but ashes?--my speculation).
Dennis Martin
>>> [log in to unmask] 11/03/05 12:29 PM >>>
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Here's a curious question that arose in lecture this morning:
Are there any medieval Christian saints' relics that are ashes (from the saint having been acidentally or officially burnt)?
Obviously cremation wasn't a legitimate option, but what about martyrs like Joan of Arc? -- I seem to recall that her ashes were deliberately dispersed, but I'm not sure. How about early Chrt. martyrs? Can anyone think of any examples?
Many thanks in advance!
Theresa
T. Gross-Diaz
History / Medieval Studies
Loyola University Chicago
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