Medievalists.net
Menu
In Rome lies the Santi Apostoli church, cared for by Franciscan brothers for more than 500 years. For more than 1500 years, this site has held the believed remains of two of the earliest Christians and Jesu apostles: St. Philip and St. James the Younger – relics of the Holy Catholic Church.
In the first few centuries of Christianity, life was difficult for the Christian minority, but gradually towards fourth century Christianity became the dominant religion and after Emperor Theodosius in 380 declared Christianity the state religion, churches were erected all over the Roman Empire. Advertisement
Shortly after the churches were erected, remains of Christian martyrs were moved from their graves to designated worship churches in the towns. This also applied for the remains of the two apostles, St. Philip and St. James. Such movements of remains were called translations.