Relic Photo: Saint Patrick’s Bell of the Testament

by

Relic: Saint Patrick’s Bell with Viking Influenced Reliquary
This is one of the most interesting relics of which I have heard: Saint Patrick’s Bell of the Testament.
Saint Patrick died in AD 493. According to the “Book of Cuanu” dating to AD 552, Saint Columcille acquired three relics from Saint Patrick’s tomb:
1. Saint Patrick’s Chalice
2. Saint Patrick’s Gospel book (called the Angels Gospel)
3. Saint Patrick’s Bell of the Testament
These three items were signs of Saint Patrick’s office as a Catholic bishop. The bell in particular became an important Irish relic.

The bell itself is simple in design, hammered into shape with a small handle fixed to the top with rivets. The bell was forged from iron and plated in bronze. 
King Domnall Ua Lochlainn placed the bell in a reliquary sometime between 1091 and 1105. The reliquary is an example of Viking-influenced Celtic art as you can see in the photo above.

Saint Patrick, pray for us.

Do you enjoy reading Canterbury Tales by Taylor Marshall? Make it easier to receive daily posts. It’s free. Please click here to sign up by Feed or here to sign up by Email. Please also explore Taylor’s books about Catholicism at amazon.com.
Posted on
Category: Uncategorized
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Comments Policy: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic. If your comment contains a hyperlink to another site, your comment automatically goes into "Comments Purgatory" where it waits for release by way of moderation.