The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-07-21
CHURCH RELICS ARE
VENERATED IN ROME
Some of Most Notable Treas.
ures of the Christian
World.
A VERlTABLE
The Famous "cope," But Recently Re-
turned, Ono Of the Most
Valued Possessions of
Roman Church.
A VERlTABLE RELlQUARY

st. Louis Republic: The keeping of
relics has ever formed a reverential
and inspiring form Of devotion and re-
membrance. Memory of man runneth
not to the time when the case has been
otherwise, and 1t has been ~applauded
on all sides as a happy and wholesome
circumstance. But In the keeping OF
relics due regard has not always been
taken to an equitable distribution of
times heated discussion has been en-
gendered. In secular matters a spirit
of lively legal contest has entered into
the possession Of some Of h more
notable relics of soldiers n states
men; in ecclesiastical one stealth has
often been resorted to for their posses
sion.
The world at large has only recently
had an example of the latter character.
when a previous and valuable cope"
a large and flowing garment like a long
cape which is used for the vesper
service in the Roman Catholic church,
was surreptitiously taken. The cope
usually of fine material. Happily, this
relic, pilfered by adventures, came in
to the possession Of j. Pierpont Nor
gan, who Immediately, on learning the
rightful wners, ordered it restored.
Rome is a veritable reliquary. At
lllS 1dlllOOS Cdplld4 are AOuSCu SOlIlG OIL
the most famous and interesting relics
of all the world-the Christian world,
at least-for within its picturesquely
monumental walls are kept some of the
principal relics of the sacred passion
Of the Savior, and as this event is the
source of all happiness and good to
Christians. interest in these objects
ton as we'll. OF the pillar at which
the Savior was scourged it is said that
This was anciently kept at Jerusalem
with other holy relics on Mount Zion.
Brought to Rome.
1t is supposed to have remained in
the same place until the thirteenth
century, when it vase brought to Rome
by Cardinal John Columna, apostolic
delegate in the East under Pope Hon
the church OF st. Praxedes, it Is shown
there to this day. The pillar is Of
gray OF black n white marble, one
foot and a half long or two Italian feet,
and one foot in diameter at the bottom,
and eight inches at the top. where is
an iron ring to which criminals were
tied. 1t is thought by some to be only
the upper part Of the pillar, as men,
toned by IN ecclesiastical historian;
but others, and in greater number,
maintain it to be entire, as there are
no marks of a fracture.
AS to the character of the crown Of
thorns which was pressed on the
savior's head at the time Of His cruel
axiom there has been a great deal Of
problematical discussion. One version
aas it that they were plated together
so as to entirely cover the top Of His
oead, like a cap. and not merely as a
wreath, to bind the temples and fore
mead. This relic, it is said, has had an
interesting history. 1t vas given by
the Emperor Baldwin II to st. Louis,
ls his cousin and great b~enefactor,
when the city Of Constantinople was no
longer considered a place Of security
against the Saracens and Greeks. st.
louis afterward in requital paid of q
a which that emperor had borrowed
Of the Venetians. William OF Nangis
and Vincent Beauvais and other
French historians Of that time relate
bow this sacred treasure was with
great devotion carried in a sealed case
by religious men. by way of Venice,
ntto France. st. Louis, with the queen
mother, prelates and princes and a
xoodly %retinue, met the relic many