What is “a reliquary” often made to do?

The story behind the answer

A reliquary is an ornate container made to keep holy remains—such as a saint’s bone, a fragment of the True Cross, or a scrap of clothing—safe while allowing the faithful to see and venerate them. Medieval examples were crafted from gold and silver, set with gems, and often featured rock crystal or glass windows; many were lockable and sealed by clergy to deter tampering.

Their form amplified devotion: some were shaped like the body part they housed (an arm or a head), others resembled miniature churches. Placed on altars or carried in processions, they drew pilgrims whose donations supported churches and towns. The craftsmanship signaled the sanctity and power believed to emanate from the relics within.