The idea of sacred relics in churches seems strange to me, even though I was raised Catholic. They abound in Italian churches. The church across the street from our hotel is San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains). Their relic is the chains that supposedly bound St. Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. Another church has a piece of Christ's manger. Other relics include bones of saints or holy monks, body parts, pieces of clothing and other personal items. Nowadays, in a country where church attendance is actually quite low, these churches and relics have become more tourist attractions than places of worship. And outside the churches the vendors sell their relics. Then we the tourists take photos, which become our relics.
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