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The Bejeweled Skeletons of Catholicism’s Forgotten Martyrs
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The Bejeweled Skeletons of Catholicism’s Forgotten Martyrs

By November 1, 2023December 3rd, 2023No Comments

History is full of artefacts, and religious history more so. Catholicism is amongst the world’s richest religions in terms of forgotten-about symbolism, icons, and priceless works of art. Take the bejeweled skeletons featured below, for example.

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The Bejeweled Skeletons of Catholicism’s Forgotten Martyrs

These “heavenly bodies” (also known collectively as the bejeweled skeletons of catacomb saints), were named through a combination of historical, religious, and other naming considerations. Here’s a quick breakdown of how these names typically came about:

  • Historical and Religious Context: Skeletons were dug up in the catacombs because people thought they were connected to early Christian martyrs. Even if they weren’t 100% sure who these skeletons were, they looked at old records of martyrs and the way they were buried and named them after famous Christian saints or important people from the early days of the church.
  • Patronage and Local Tradition: Some skeletons were named after saints who were already important in the local area where they were moved to. This created an important link between the new skeleton and the religious traditions of that place.
  • Family and Wealthy Donors: Other skeletons were named after the people or rich families who helped pay for the skeleton’s jewels. This helped encourage others to donate money for the skeleton’s care.
  • Similarity to Existing Saints: In some instances, skeletons were named after other well-known saints who had something in common, like a similar name or a connection to the same place or time in history.

Overall, The names helped keep the Christian tradition going, tied the saints to the local culture, and thanked the people who helped keep the skeletons in good shape.

Heavenly Bodies: The Search for Bejeweled Skeletons

Paul Koudounaris is a photographer who investigates and documents religious phenomena, specifically church ossuaries, charnel houses, and shrines. His book, “Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs” showcases the bejeweled skeletons of Catholicism’s forgotten saints and martyrs in a delightful, must-read photographic journey.

Click the images below to view each saint in larger scale or click here to read more about each saint…

 

Find out more about the Forgotten Martyrs of Catholicism here.

 

Thanks for reading,
The Curator