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Police Capture Thief Who Stole, Then Destroyed Bones Belonging To Saint Nicholas From Iconic Church
French police have arrested an unnamed suspect accused of stealing and destroying bones attributed to St Nicholas from the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port in Lorraine. The relic’s loss has drawn attention because it had been kept at the basilica for centuries and is part of the region’s religious history.
The alleged theft took place on 28 October, and the parish priest reported it on 2 November, prompting a police investigation. The suspect reportedly said he smashed the case and acted out of a desire to destroy the relic; he allegedly burned and crushed the bones. A psychiatric assessment found him legally responsible, and the relic had been brought to Lorraine in 1098.
In short
- A suspect was arrested over the alleged theft and destruction of St Nicholas relics.
- The bones were taken from a Lorraine basilica on 28 October.
- A psychiatric assessment found the suspect legally responsible.
Explained simply
Saint Nicholas was a Christian bishop who lived in the ancient city of Myra, in what is now Turkey. Over time, stories about his generosity helped make him one of the best-known saints; he is also the historical figure associated with the tradition of Santa Claus.
Relics are objects or remains linked to a saint and kept as part of religious worship. The bones attributed to Nicholas had been held at the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port in Lorraine since they were brought to the region in 1098, making them part of its religious heritage.
The basilica is a major place of worship named for Nicholas, and the relic connected local religious life with a tradition recognised across many countries. Its reported destruction therefore concerns both the church and the wider history of how communities preserve and honour religious remains.