What Shall I Do To Be Saved?

By Rev. Dr. Curian Kaniyamparambil

Question 121. The Syriac Orthodox Church reveres the remains and antiques used by Saints? Isn't this superstitious and against the Bible and God?

It is true that our church respects the remains of saints and antiques belonging to these saints because it is biblical. Let us refer to Acts 19:12, So that even the handkerchiefs and aprons were brought from his (St. Paul's) body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil Spirits went out of them. If we had these handkerchiefs or aprons, what should we do? Respect them as did the apostles, or should we throw them away?

Again in the Old Testament similar incidents are seen.

Then he (Elisha) picked up Elijah's mantle which had fallen from him, and went back and stood at the bank of Jordan. Wielding the mantle, which had fallen from Elijah, he struck the water in his turn and said, Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah? When Elisha struck the water, it divided and he crossed over. (2 Kings 2:13-15)

Once some people were burying a man, when suddenly they spied a raiding band. They cast the dead man into the grave of Elisha, and every one went off. When the dead man came in contact with the bones of Elisha, he came back to life and rose to the feet (2 Kings 13:21).

Elisha was humble enough to respect the mantle of Elijah. Will modern fellowships that refuse to respect Holy Relics throw this mantle away? Elisha's bones had the power to make a dead man alive. If we had these bones today, what should we do? Throw it away or respect it?

God gave Samson water from dried bones. So it is possible that God can give His blessings from bones too. God is all-powerful. If the remains had these abilities, it is God's power.

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