It matters because it can serve as a potential warning for placing our trust in anything aside from Jesus. Why does a quest to understand the Holy Grail matter? Throughout medieval history many relics were duplicated (two or more places would supposedly have the same “relic”) or stolen and several were destroyed throughout history. The Head of John the Baptist ( Matthew 14) The Shroud of Turin (supposedly the burial shroud of Christ) Some of such relics Christians supposedly housed in holy sites and churches were: Objects associated with Jesus or Mary had the most power, so an object such as the grail would have an extremely powerful importance. Christians would travel on pilgrimages to holy sites to see such objects and hopefully experience the same healing powers from them that those who had encountered Jesus had done so in his ministry ( Luke 8:43-48). Relics played a major role in medieval church history.īones of saints and relics used by Jesus and the apostles supposedly had supernatural powers and abilities. As Christians, we know eternal life only comes from the Lord, not from relics. We also should be wary of the various opinions on what the grail promises: youth, eternal life, or a grand mystical experience. The Quran, for instance, has a number of people in it from Scripture such as: Aaron (Moses’ brother), Abraham, Adam, David, the Disciples, Gabriel, Jesus, and more, but that doesn’t make it a Christian text.Īnything not mentioned in Scripture has to be evaluated with extreme caution. We do have to keep in mind, not everything that has ties to the Christian Scripture is Christian. Although it has some ties with certain verses in Scripture, it also has origins in Celtic magic and mythology. Is the Holy Grail really a Christian object? Supposedly from there, Joseph of Arimathea made a trek to the British Isles, where the grail was later housed and quested after by Arthur and his knights.Īnd others have tied the grail to the cup offered to Jesus on the cross which had sour wine ( Mark 15:23). In jail, the grail provides for his biological needs. Others have placed the grail in the hands of Joseph of Arimathea, who according to legend, collected Jesus’ blood in the grail while Jesus was on the cross, literalizing “this is my blood shed for you.”Īccording to this version of the legend, Joseph is thrown in jail for collecting Jesus’ blood, and during his stay, Jesus expands upon the powerful properties of the grail. Some stories have attributed the Holy Grail to the cup of wine Jesus used during the last supper ( Luke 22:20). Other myths have attributed the Holy Grail to satisfying the needs of whoever drank from it, or providing the ultimate spiritual or mystical experience. Or perhaps it also played into the fountain of youth narrative that later played a role in historical conquests. Other writers reimagined the grail as the philosopher’s stone, a stone with the ability to give longevity. Some say it carries the elixir of eternal life. The object has varied in size throughout the various narratives from a wine bowl, to a stone that fell from heaven, to the now culturally accepted cup.Īs for what the grail can do, that differs by account as well. Read more on this in the possible scriptural influences section below. Supposedly, it was a vessel of importance, used by Jesus or one of his followers during his ministry. Whether the Holy Grail is a cup, cauldron, or stone depends on which version of the legend you're reading. The “Christian” relic known as the Holy Grail has dotted the lines of medieval literature. Let's first look at: What is the Holy Grail? Where did this mythical grail come into existence? Why does it have ties with Christianity? And what part does it play in history? Lewis and Dan Brown) have brought this inconspicuous object back into the light. Revivals of interest in objects akin to the grail (seen in literature by C.S. It had its pique of interest in the mid-middle ages but fizzled out in the nineteenth century. If you’ve ever had a chance to watch Monty Python or Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, you will have touched on culture’s obsession with this supposed holy chalice.
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