Bodies Said to be Incorruptible in Hagiography

Incorruptibility designates, in hagiographic sources, the conservation judged extraordinary of a saint's body after their death. The account often appears during the opening of a tomb, a translation of relics, or an official recognition. The state of the body is then interpreted as a sign of holiness, sometimes accompanied by a scent or a peaceful appearance. These motifs may coexist, but they are not identical: the odor of sanctity possesses its own category, and the conservation of an object is not enough to speak of bodily incorruptibility. Texts also employ variable descriptions, from complete integrity to the preservation of a part of the body. The page must restore exactly what is affirmed, without concluding on the natural conditions of conservation or on absent scientific expertise. It replaces these traditions in the history of cults, tombs, and relics.

Accounts

112

Saints

97

Period

1st century – 20th century