Mysterious blood-soaked relic linked to history's most beloved saint, St Francis of Assisi, goes on display
Christians visiting San Francisco have a rare opportunity to see an 800-year-old relic believed to contain the blood of one of history's most beloved saints, St.Francis of Assisi — marking the first time the artifact has left Italy.The relics of the saint are currently on display at the Cathedral of St.
Mary of the Assumption until Nov.28. The display commemorates the 800th anniversary of the death of Francis, who lived from approximately 1181 to 1226.LOST CITY IN AREA TIED TO BIBLICAL EXODUS MAY HAVE FINALLY BEEN DISCOVERED IN EGYPTThe saint is best known for founding the Franciscan Order, as well as for being the patron saint of animals.The exhibition includes a painted panel of the saint dating to around 1290 — but the crown jewel of the display is the Bandage Relic of the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi, a centuries-old cloth believed to contain his blood.Christians visiting San Francisco have a rare opportunity to see relics associated with St.
Francis of Assisi, including a centuries-old bandage believed to contain his blood.(FOX 2 San Francisco)Pictures of the relic on display show that the blood on the bandage still appears intensely red, even 800 years later.The relics' arrival in San Francisco carries particular significance because the city was named after St.
Francis, said Candida Moss, the Edward Cadbury professor of theology at the University of Birmingham.SACRED PAGES OF 1,000-YEAR-OLD GOSPEL REVEAL ANCIENT DNA SCIENTISTS NEVER EXPECTED"People love St.Francis, but Francis isn't just venerated by Catholics," Moss told Fox News Digital, noting that he is also revered by Orthodox Christians, Anglicans and Lutherans."I think this will become temporarily a pilgrimage site," she added.The Bandage Relic of the Stigmata of Saint Francis of Assisi is believed to contain blood from wounds the saint reportedly received during a religious vision.
(Marks/Getty Images; FOX 2 San Francisco)Moss said St.Francis' enduring popularity stems from his extrao...