Historically, Christians traveled many miles to pray before the relics of a saint. It was believed (and still is, within many pockets of Christendom) that by praying before the relics of a saint one might experience healings or other spiritual blessings, in the same way that an encounter with a living saint can be transformative. This belief was connected to the idea that those who die in Christ do not die, but continue to live. The bodies of the saints, therefore, remained as a link to the holy person who now dwelt with God in heaven.

The belief in the holiness of relics was confirmed at the Seventh Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, Asia Minor, 787. At this council it was decreed that “Our Lord Jesus Christ granted to us the relics of Saints as a salvation-bearing source which pours forth varied benefits to the infirm. Consequently, those who presume to abandon the relics of the Martyrs: if they be hierarchs, let them be deposed; if however, monastics or laymen, let them merely be excommunicated.”

Handling Death

Although in contemporary times one might be tempted to scoff at this view of relics, many contemporary practices surrounding death and burial would be scandalous to those of an earlier time. The way in which Western culture has institutionalized death might seem heartless to the earliest Christians, who saw their care for the dead as an extension of their care for the living. Imagine if Jesus had died in this age — there would have been no Joseph of Arimethea to tenderly care for Christ's body and no myrrh-bearing women to discover the resurrected Christ — instead, there would have been a fancy funeral parlor and undertaker who would have been hired to handle the whole business quietly and out of sight.

Joseph of Arimethea (First Century)

Joseph of Arimethea, who was fairly well-to-do and a clandestine follower of Jesus, was present at the Crucifixion and persuaded Pontius Pilate to let him have Jesus's body. He wrapped it in the finest linens and herbs and laid it inside a tomb that was carved from rock on the side of a hill. Joseph either paid for this tomb for Jesus or placed him in his own family's resting place, a brand new tomb, located in Jerusalem. It was said of Joseph that he was “waiting for the kingdom of God.”

Little else is known about St. Joseph. He is supposed to have gone to Gaul (France) as a missionary. He is also said to have inherited the chalice used at the Last Supper. His feast day is commemorated on March 17. He is the patron saint of funeral directors and undertakers.

The Myrrh-Bearing Women

The Myrrh-bearing women were a small band of women, all closely associated with Jesus, who went to his tomb to anoint his body with myrrh and other spices. Only a few names are known: Salome, Joanna, Mary Magdalene, and “the other Mary.”

These women went very early in the morning, hoping to continue their loving care for Jesus. They rose to anoint him with their spices. Instead of finding Jesus, however, they found an empty tomb. A man standing near the tomb — who could have been an angel or a gardener — announced to them that the tomb was empty because Jesus had already risen. These women were able to be the first to experience the Resurrection because of their willingness to care for Christ's body with their own hands.