Holy Blood of Christ

 

About the Holy Blood of Christ

The Holy Blood of Christ refers to sacred relics believed to hold the blood Jesus Christ, our Savior, shed during His Passion—on the cross, from the spear wound, or other torments. The Bible’s Gospels—Matthew (27:35-50), Mark (15:24-37), Luke (23:33-46), and John (19:18-34)—describe His crucifixion, with John noting blood and water flowing from His side. These relics, often dried stains or liquefying blood, are cherished as holy treasures of His sacrifice, showing His love and mercy. Key examples include the relic in the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges, brought by Crusaders, and the Blood of San Gennaro in Naples, tied to an early martyr. They draw the faithful to honor Jesus’ gift of redemption with awe and gratitude.

Its Appearance

The Bruges Holy Blood is a small amount of dried blood on a cloth, kept in a stunning crystal vial with gold and silver fittings, about 6 inches (15 cm) tall, sealed since the 12th century. The San Gennaro relic in Naples is coagulated blood in two glass ampoules, about 2 inches (5 cm) long, which famously liquefies three times a year. Other relics, like stains on the Sudarium of Oviedo or Shroud of Turin, are dark, reddish-brown marks on linen. Each form—dry or liquid—carries the sacred mark of Jesus’ suffering, preserved in reliquaries that gleam with devotion, a humble yet powerful sign of His blood shed for us.

Its Journey

The Holy Blood begins around 33 AD in Jerusalem, shed during Jesus’ crucifixion. Tradition says some was collected—perhaps by Joseph of Arimathea or Nicodemus—though the Bible is silent on this. The Bruges relic emerged in 1150, when Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders, brought it from Jerusalem during the Second Crusade, gifting it to Bruges’ Basilica by 1250. The San Gennaro blood, linked to Jesus via Saint Januarius’ martyrdom, was collected after his 305 AD beheading, kept in Naples’ Cathedral since at least 1389. Other traces, like the Sudarium’s stains, left Jerusalem in 614, reaching Oviedo by 840. In 1290, the Bruges relic was enshrined in its chapel. Miracles—like San Gennaro’s liquefaction—began by 1389, noted in records. Today, Bruges displays it daily, Naples thrice yearly, uniting faith across centuries.

Its Meaning

These relics, whether cloth or vial, have been loved for nearly 2,000 years as a sign of Jesus’ great love—His blood poured out to wash away our sins, a promise of eternal life. From Jerusalem to Europe, they tell a story of faith carried through time, often with miracles like liquefaction showing His living presence. Kept in golden cases, they bring peace and hope, a holy link to Jesus’ Passion. In Bruges, they inspire processions; in Naples, prayers for protection. Though their origins are debated, they lift our hearts to His mercy that never fades, a treasure of His sacrifice for all.

Timeline of the Holy Blood of Christ

• Around 33 AD: Jesus sheds blood on the cross in Jerusalem.
• 305: San Gennaro’s blood collected after martyrdom.
• 614: Sudarium with blood stains leaves Jerusalem.
• 840: Sudarium reaches Oviedo’s Cámara Santa.
• 1150: Thierry of Alsace brings Bruges relic from Jerusalem.
• 1250: Bruges relic enshrined in Basilica of the Holy Blood.
• 1290: Bruges chapel built for Holy Blood relic.
• 1389: San Gennaro’s blood liquefaction first recorded.
• May 7, 1570: Bruges relic procession formalized yearly.
• Present Day: Bruges shown daily; Naples on May 4, September 19, December 16.

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