A receptacle for such sacred objects as pieces of the true cross, short-ribs of the saints, the ears of Balaam's ass, the lung of the cock that called Peter to repentance and so forth. Reliquaries are commonly of metal, and provided with a lock to prevent the contents from coming out and performing miracles at unseasonable times. A feather from the wing of the Angel of the Annunciation once escaped during a sermon in Saint Peter's and so tickled the noses of the congregation that they woke and sneezed with great vehemence three times each. It is related in the "Gesta Sanctorum" that a sacristan in the Canterbury cathedral surprised the head of Saint Dennis in the library. Reprimanded by its stern custodian, it explained that it was seeking a body of doctrine. This unseemly levity so raged the diocesan that the offender was publicly anathematized, thrown into the Stour and replaced by another head of Saint Dennis, brought from Rome.

A depositary, often a small box or casket, in which relics are kept.

A chest, box, or shrine, often elaborately decorated, in which a saint's relics were kept. Reliquaries were often the focal point of pilgrimages. (Lynch, Joseph H. The Medieval Church: A Brief History, 365) Related terms: Relic

receptacle (such as a box or chest) for relics

Receptacle for a saint's relics, usually bones. Often highly decorated.

A container for the preservation of relics of a saint.

Sealed metal and glass receptacle for displaying sacred objects.

a container where religious relics are stored or displayed (especially relics of saints)

a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept

a container that contains holy relics

a receptacle, usually richly decorated and made of precious materials, for the safekeeping or exhibition of a relic

a shrine that houses one or more relics

a shrine to house a relic

Urn or container for the relics of a saint or martyr.

A container, often richly ornamented, holding the remains of a saint which can be displayed to the faithful.

a box in which the relic of a saint is kept

A casket, coffer, or other small receptacle for a sacred relic, usually made of precious materials and richly decorated.

a container for the relics of a saint; many were expensively gilded and jewelled

container for relics of a saint, either physical , or fragments of their clothing (see cat 71, 73, 74,).

Reliquary is the New York Times Best Selling sequel to Relic, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The legacy of the blood-maddened Mbwun lives on in "Reliquary", but the focus is shifted from the original museum setting to the tunnels beneath the streets of New York City.