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Medieval Pilgrims and the Cult of Relics |
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Medieval Pilgrims and the Cult of Relics Medieval European societies were comprised of localized cultures with an overriding belief in God’s control over the lives of man. Miracles were the work of God, often seen as through the intervention of Christian martyrs and saints. These uncontrollable events were critical to the wellbeing of the faithful and sought through prayer and direct appeal to the saints. It is not surprising that thousands of local saints were discovered and offered to their neighbors to strengthen their appeals. Because the Christian martyrs and saints were from an earlier time, relics of their bodies were believed to suffice. It became imperative that churches have their own relic by which the parishioners could seek help. Accounts of the success of these relics propelled many to celebrity status. Thus began the practice of Christian pilgrimage to the holy sites of the most famous of these miraculous artifacts. Over the next six hundred years, thousands of pilgrims traversed Europe from Scotland to the Middle East. Thriving businesses to accommodate the travelers flourished and the reasons for pilgrimage expanded.
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