Relics of St. John the Baptist (John) appear in reliquary, opened four days ago on the island of St. Ivan near Sozopol, establish a committee of scientists .The archaeological findings are consisting of part of hand, facial fractures, heel and a tooth.
The significant finding was conveyed yesterday by the head of excavations Prof. Cazimir Popkonstantinov to the Yoanikii Metropolitan of Sliven, who will have to decide where to set the relics of worship. According to Prof. Bozidar Dimitrov, the best place is the St. George church near Sozopol.
Both reliquary in one of which the Saint's relics are set are made of alabaster. They will remain in the archaeological museum in the seaside town, reported Dariknews.bg <http://dariknews.bg.>.
Reliquary was opened on July 28th by the team of Prof. Popkonstantinov in a church of XII century. The assumptions of archaeologists, led by the inscriptions on the two findings were confirmed at yesterday's official opening ceremony in the presence of a committee of experts, politics and journalists.
Minister Bozidar Dimitrov pointed out that the archaeological interest in the island of St. John dates back a quarter century.
"It is believed that in ancient times someone of the Patriarchate of Constantinople has donated the monastery of “St. John the Baptist" parts of the holy relics kept in Constantinople, explained Minister Dimitrov. Anthropological analysis is to be made to the holy relics.
