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Incorruptibility -

The belief that some people’s bodies have miraculously not been subject to the death decomposition process is found in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.

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Context -

But first, to be able to understand the roots of incorruptibility, one must understand the religious context. Jesus miraculously rose from the dead, and Christ’s resurrection is a key concept that is central to his holiness.

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Resurrection -

As such, any extension or reminiscence of the miracle of resurrection (such as a corpse not decaying) can be interpreted as an act of God and indeed proof of the holiness of the individual concerned.

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Are these mummies? -

There is a difference between naturally-preserved and artificially-preserved bodies. The latter could be subject to accidental or deliberate preservation methods, such as the mummification process used in ancient Egypt.

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Are these mummies? -

The difference is that incorruptible bodies cannot be explained by neither these methods nor natural phenomena. Some are said to retain characteristics that defy the decaying process, including blood, oils, and a unique scent.

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Other characteristics -

Unlike mummies, whose bodies are hard and dry, these saints' skin is soft and their limbs are flexible.

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It doesn't have to last forever -

Incorruptibility doesn't necessarily mean that a body lasts forever in the same state. As long as this has been demonstrated at any point, a corpse can be considered incorruptible.

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Preservation -

Indeed, some of these bodies have been subject to treatments so that they can maintain certain characteristics. These may include the use of wax or acid baths. Many of these bodies, and body parts, are on display thanks to these preservation methods.

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Exhumations -

The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches have located and exhumed bodies of some of their saints. As a result, they’ve made some extraordinary discoveries of bodies and body parts that are extremely well preserved.

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Catholic incorruptibles -

The Catholic Church has an estimated 100 incorruptibles. Most of these can be found in Italy, but others can also be found in other countries across Europe and as far east as India. Many of them are believed to perform miracles posthumously, making them attractions in their own right.

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Science -

The Catholic Church has even called on science to help them better understand these incorruptibles and to help preserve them. And while many times natural circumstances can explain why some of these bodies are so well preserved, the Church doesn't quite find them to be less miraculous.

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The science of miracles -

Ezio Fulcheri of the University of Genoa explains the Catholic Church’s current stance: "What is a miracle? It's something unexplainable, a special event that may occur in different ways ... but don't exclude [rare] natural processes that are different from the normal course of things."

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Eastern Orthodox Church -

For the Eastern Orthodox, undecayed bodies may not necessarily mean that the person is holy. In fact, the body may just as well be cursed or exist as a result of the transgression of church teachings.

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Eastern Orthodox Church -

The Third Synod of Moscow from 1666 reads: "Let no one dare henceforth to honor and revere the bodies of the dead which even in these times are found whole and incorrupt as being holy without a credible witness and Synodical Approval."

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Explanations for incorruptibility -

So, if these are not mummies, what are they? Theories vary, including airtight coffins made of zinc and lead, being buried in above-ground crypts, and unknown methods of embalming.

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It’s no longer a miracle -

Incorruptibility in itself is no longer listed as an official miracle by the Catholic Church. This may be because studies have pointed to these bodies having been somehow mummified due to natural circumstances rather than supernatural ones.

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Wax -

Wax has been used to preserve incorruptibles. An example includes Saint Bernadette, who died in 1879. She was subject to three medical examinations during her canonization process (between 1909 and 1925). Then her body was covered by a layer of wax for preservation.

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Embalmed? -

Some incorruptibles do show some signs of embalming. The body of Margaret of Cortona is one example. "Those who preserved St. Margaret had done so remarkably thoroughly, excising her internal organs and drenching her skin in fragrant lotions," writes researcher Heather Pringle in her book ‘The Mummy Congress.’

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Embalmed? -

But there are more cases of incorruptibles who have been embalmed, namely Catherine of Siena (pictured), Clare of Montefalco, Blessed Margaret of Metola, Rita of Cascia, and Bernardine of Siena.

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The truth is out there -

Some cases of incorruptibility do remain a mystery. One is Saint Zita, whose body is on display at the San Frediano Basilica in Lucca, Italy. Researchers have failed to find any signs of attempting to preserve the body. No incisions or resins were found, and scans showed that all of the saint’s organs were in her body.

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Catherine Labouré -

This French nun Catherine Labouré was known for creating the Miraculous Medal of Our Lady of Graces. Labouré  was declared a saint after the Church found that her body was incorrupt after being exhumed 57 years following her death.

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Mysterious cases and body parts -

Others cases of incorruptibility include Ubald of Gubbio, Blessed Margaret of Savoy, and Saint Savina Petrilli. Body parts, of course, also count. Here is Francis Xavier's arm.

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Body parts -

And here is Saint Anthony's tongue, which is kept, together with his vocal cards and floating rib, in this golden statuette.

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Other famous corpses -

Dubbed the "Sleeping Beauty," Rosalia Lombardo died just a few days before turning two. Rosalia's grieving father embalmed her.

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Rosalia Lombardo -

Although not canonized, her body became famous for "miraculously" opening her eyes. Though this has been proven to be an optical illusion. Rosalia Lombardo can be found at the Capuchin catacombs of Palermo in Sicily, Italy.

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Curiosity -

Incorruptibles and other relics were removed from churches during the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. They claimed these were all wax figures in an attempt to discredit the Church.

Sources: (Grunge) (Ranker) (Roman Catholic Saints) (Britannica)

See also: The world's most intriguing religious relics

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