Studies on the Cult of Relics in Byzantium up to 1204

Constantinople was well known in its heyday for the enormous collection of relics housed in its churches. These studies examine the means by which relics were acquired the ways in which they were used and some of the reasons why for so long they were believed to be effective. The role of relics in the development of the cult of the Mother of God (Theotokos) is also discussed as well as the curious relationship between relics and icons.