You won't believe these fake religious relics

Numerous nails purportedly used in Jesus' crucifixion exist worldwide. It's impossible to verify their authenticity. Simcha Jacobovici, a Canadian-Israeli film director, producer, and journalist known for his work in the field of biblical archaeology and historical documentaries, claims to have found them. And more...

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Jesus' burial box -

Jacobovici is a controversial figure, often presenting alternative theories and interpretations of historical and religious events. He claimed to have discovered the burial site of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and their son based on inscriptions on bone boxes. However, archaeologists and scholars widely criticized the theory for its questionable interpretations and evidence.

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Golan and Jacobovici -

Oded Golan and Simcha Jacobovici are not directly connected in terms of their archaeological findings or involvement with specific artifacts. However, they share a common thread in their association with controversial and debated artifacts and claims related to biblical archaeology.

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Golan and Jacobovici -

Both have been involved in high-profile cases that raised questions about the authenticity of certain relics, such as the James Ossuary in the case of Oded Golan and the 'Lost Tomb of Jesus' (2007) documentary in the case of Simcha Jacobovici.

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Holy Lance -

Said to be the lance that pierced the side of Jesus Christ as he hung on the cross, its authenticity is uncertain. Legends surrounding this relic vary, and its historical chain of custody is elusive. Claims about its powers and historical ties to prominent figures like Adolf Hitler are highly questionable.

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Jesus' circumcision -

Several churches claim to possess the foreskin of Jesus Christ, but with no conclusive evidence to support such claims. Some of Jesus' alleged foreskin is even for sale online. The earliest mention of the first foreskin relic is linked to Byzantine empress Irene, who later gave it to King Charlemagne.

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Jesus' circumcision -

In 800 CE, Charlemagne presented this relic to Pope Leo III during a grand ceremony, anointing himself as the first Holy Roman Emperor. This event also triggered a proliferation of rival foreskin claims across Europe, with nearly 31 churches during the Middle Ages asserting possession of the relic.

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Noah's Ark -

Supposed remains of Noah's Ark have been debunked by experts. Geological formations on Mount Ararat were once thought to be the ark, but further investigation has disproven this claim.

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Manna from heaven -

The miraculous food that fell from the sky, provided by God to the Israelites during their journey in the desert, is the object of many forgeries. Relics claiming to be the manna from heaven lack substantiation and historical credibility.

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Holy sponge -

The sponge used to moisten Jesus' lips during crucifixion is unverified. Its whereabouts and authenticity are shrouded in uncertainty. There are even quite a few fakes for sale online.

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St. Peter's chains -

The story of St. Peter's miraculous escape from prison is questionable. The chains' authenticity relies heavily on faith rather than historical evidence.

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Jesus' cross -

The true cross of Jesus' burial remains unknown. Numerous relics claim to be parts of it, but no conclusive evidence supports these claims. One thing is real though: the pictured reliquary is one of the richest and most elaborate ensembles of Byzantine enamels to have survived the Sack of Constantinople in 1204.

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The Shroud of Turin -

One of the most famous relics around, its authenticity remains heavily debated among scholars. While some believe it to be the burial cloth of Jesus, radiocarbon dating suggests it may date from medieval times.

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John the Baptist's finger -

Many churches claim to have John the Baptist's finger, but none can prove it. These relics often lack historical documentation and verification.

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Jesus' crown of thorns -

Multiple relics claim to be Jesus' crown of thorns, but none can be verified. The most famous of these, held in Notre-Dame, was damaged in a fire in 2019, adding to the uncertainty surrounding its authenticity.

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Blood of St. Januarius -

The liquefaction of his blood in Naples is often debunked as a chemical phenomenon. While it's a highly revered event, science suggests natural explanations for the blood's behavior.

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Veil of Veronica -

The Veil of Veronica is believed to be the cloth that Veronica used to wipe Jesus' face during the crucifixion. Some believe that his image transferred to the cloth and it possesses healing properties. Currently in Oviedo, Spain, its historical authenticity remains unproven. Veronica herself was just one of the people on Jesus path to Golgotha.

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Seamless robe of Jesus -

The authenticity of the Holy Coat is disputed. While it's venerated as Jesus' seamless robe, historical documentation is scarce.

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Christ's tunic at Saint-Denys d'Argenteuil Basilica -

The authenticity of the Holy Tunic is unconfirmed. While it's believed to be Jesus' garment, historical records leave room for doubt.

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Shrine of the three kings (Cologne Cathedral, Germany) -

Various relics claim to be the bones of the three Wise Men. However, verifying their identity is challenging due to the lack of historical records.

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Precious Blood of Christ -

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand recovered the Precious Blood of Christ relic, following a mysterious late-night doorbell ring in Amsterdam on July 6, 2022. This is believed to be one of the most sacred artifacts recently stolen from the Catholic Church.

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Precious Blood of Christ -

'Blood of Jesus' relics are linked to the crucifixion, and they've been preserved in various forms, including liquid and dried stains on cloth. Extensive scientific examinations of such relics have typically revealed that the substance is consistent with earthly materials rather than miraculous blood, contributing to skepticism surrounding their authenticity.

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The tibia of Mary Magdalene -

Housed in the Basilica of Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in France, this has been revered as a significant relic for a long time. However, the authenticity of this relic has been a subject of debate among scholars, with limited historical evidence to definitively confirm its origin.

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Mary Magdalene's skull -

The authenticity of of Mary Magdalene's skull, also displayed at Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume in France, is still open to historical debate. This image was generated based on those bones, though. Could this be the face of Mary Magdalene, or of another middle-aged Mediterranean woman?

Sources: (ABC) (Vice) (National Geographic)

See also: The world's most intriguing religious relics

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Jesus' brother's ossuary -

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Oded Golan -

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Simcha Jacobovici findings -

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Jesus' burial box -

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Golan and Jacobovici -

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Golan and Jacobovici -

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Holy Lance -

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Jesus' circumcision -

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Jesus' circumcision -

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Noah's Ark -

Supposed remains of Noah's Ark have been debunked by experts. Geological formations on Mount Ararat were once thought to be the ark, but further investigation has disproven this claim.

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Manna from heaven -

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Holy sponge -

The sponge used to moisten Jesus' lips during crucifixion is unverified. Its whereabouts and authenticity are shrouded in uncertainty. There are even quite a few fakes for sale online.

Getty Images

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St. Peter's chains -

The story of St. Peter's miraculous escape from prison is questionable. The chains' authenticity relies heavily on faith rather than historical evidence.

Getty Images

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Jesus' cross -

Getty Images

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The Shroud of Turin -

Getty Images

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John the Baptist's finger -

Many churches claim to have John the Baptist's finger, but none can prove it. These relics often lack historical documentation and verification.

Getty Images

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Jesus' crown of thorns -

Getty Images

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Blood of St. Januarius -

The liquefaction of his blood in Naples is often debunked as a chemical phenomenon. While it's a highly revered event, science suggests natural explanations for the blood's behavior.

Getty Images

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Veil of Veronica -

Getty Images

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Seamless robe of Jesus -

The authenticity of the Holy Coat is disputed. While it's venerated as Jesus' seamless robe, historical documentation is scarce.

Getty Images

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Christ's tunic at Saint-Denys d'Argenteuil Basilica -

The authenticity of the Holy Tunic is unconfirmed. While it's believed to be Jesus' garment, historical records leave room for doubt.

Getty Images

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Shrine of the three kings (Cologne Cathedral, Germany) -

Various relics claim to be the bones of the three Wise Men. However, verifying their identity is challenging due to the lack of historical records.

Getty Images

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Precious Blood of Christ -

Getty Images

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Precious Blood of Christ -

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The tibia of Mary Magdalene -

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Mary Magdalene's skull -

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You won't believe these fake religious relics

Separating fact from fiction

22/10/24 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Religion

Religious relics have long captivated the human imagination, often inspiring profound faith and devotion. However, not all that glitters is gold, and the world of religious artifacts is not immune to myths, fabrications, and downright falsehoods. In this gallery, we outline the misinformation surrounding religious relics.

The proliferation of fake relics can be attributed to a combination of factors, including deep-seated religious fervor, the desire for prestige and pilgrim tourism, and, at times, a touch of opportunistic deception. In many cases, genuine relics held immense spiritual significance, inspiring profound faith and attracting throngs of devoted pilgrims.

This devotion, in turn, fueled a demand for relics, leading to an unfortunate market for forgeries and fabrications. Craftsmen and entrepreneurs sought to capitalize on this demand by creating replicas or concocting elaborate tales of miraculous discoveries. Over centuries, legends and folklore intertwined with historical accounts, making it increasingly challenging to distinguish fact from fiction.

In this complex interplay of faith, devotion, and human ingenuity, the line between authentic relics and fraudulent artifacts was blurred, leaving behind a legacy of uncertainty and skepticism. Today, the study of these fake relics serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding faith, history, and the enduring human fascination with the divine.

To shed light on the truth behind these often-deceptive artifacts, here are 30 relics and curious facts about them. Click on for an interesting read!