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  • In pictures

A short history of Christian martyrs and miracles

Join Ben Gazur as he explores the origins, relics and power of Christian martyrs, and their continuing relevance for Catholics in the 21st century.

  • In pictures

The smell of saintliness

It’s the tenth century and your local ascetic has died. Remarkably, his body emits a sweet, pleasant smell, and fragrant oils instead of foul liquids and odours. Read on to find out how this could be.

  • Article

Revelations of blindness in the Middle Ages

Medieval texts, from Islamic medical treatises to Christian books of miracles, reveal surprisingly varied and complex experiences of blindness. But when medieval scholar Jude Seal experienced visual impairment themselves, they gained an even deeper understanding of the lives they were studying.

  • Article

The ancient doctors who refused payment

The NHS might only be 70 years old, but the idea of free healthcare goes back to Ancient Greece, when devout doctors provided their services without charge.

All stories (7)

Images

  • Sixteen Christian saints. Woodcut.
  • A hand with images of saints in the digits, as a mnemonic for good Christian conduct. Coloured engraving.
  • Martyrdom of Christian saints by being shut up to be bitten by mice or rats, crowded together like locusts, or trampled by horses. Woodcut.
  • Saint Cecilia: she enables the bodies of Christian martyrs to be buried. Engraving by G. Fabbri after D.M. Fratta after G. Cavedone.
  • Saint Bavo as Roman soldier is received as a Christian monk by Saint Amand and Saint Floribert at the entrance to St Peter’s Abbey, Ghent; left, his money is given to the poor. Lithograph after Sir P.P. Rubens.
  • Saint Bavo as Roman soldier is received as a Christian monk by Saint Amand and Saint Floribert at the entrance to St Peter’s Abbey, Ghent; left, his money is given to the poor. Line engraving by P. Lightfoot after Sir P.P. Rubens.
  • Saint Birinus converting the Saxons of Wessex to Christianity. Engraving by W. Walker, 1773, after S. Wale.
  • A dying man receiving extreme unction from a priest while surrounded by servants and his grieving family. Etching by A. Baratti after A. Novelli after B. Picart.
  • Saint Mary Magdalene. Drawing by F. Rosaspina, c. 1830, after T. Viti.
  • Saint Sebastian. Drawing by F. Rosaspina, c. 1830, after G. Reni.
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