Orthodox holy sites of Europe

Paris

Relics of Saint Genevieve, patroness of Paris

A saint of the undivided Church (c. 420–502). The reliquary with particles of her relics stands in the chapel to the right of the altar; most of the relics were destroyed in 1793. The Orthodox parishes of Paris serve molebens here on her feast (3/16 January).

Where

Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont

Address

Place Sainte-Geneviève, 75005 Paris · on the map

Nearest church

Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, 12 rue Daru

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Paris

The Crown of Thorns of the Saviour

The relic was brought to Paris by King Louis IX in 1239. After the fire of 2019 it was kept in the Louvre; since December 2024 it is again in the cathedral. Veneration follows the cathedral’s schedule, usually on the first Friday of the month and on Good Friday.

Where

Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral

Address

6 Parvis Notre-Dame — Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris · on the map

Nearest church

Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, 12 rue Daru

Saint-Denis

Relics of Saint Denis, hieromartyr of Paris

The first bishop of Paris (3rd century) and his companions Rusticus and Eleutherius. The basilica over their burial place is the necropolis of the kings of France.

Where

Basilica of Saint-Denis

Address

1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 93200 Saint-Denis · on the map

Nearest church

Parishes in Paris

Argenteuil

The Holy Tunic of the Lord

By tradition, the tunic worn by Christ; it has been in Argenteuil since the 9th century. Public exposition is rare (most recently in 2016); otherwise the reliquary remains closed.

Where

Basilica of Saint-Denys of Argenteuil

Address

11 bis boulevard Jean-Allemane, 95100 Argenteuil · on the map

Nearest church

Parishes in Paris

Chartres

The Veil (Robe) of the Mother of God

The Sancta Camisia — a veil attributed by tradition to the Mother of God; given to the cathedral in 876 by Charles the Bald. Displayed in the chapel behind the altar.

Where

Chartres Cathedral

Address

16 Cloître Notre-Dame, 28000 Chartres · on the map

Nearest church

Parishes in Paris

Amiens

The head of Saint John the Forerunner (facial part)

Brought from Constantinople in 1206 after the Fourth Crusade. Kept in the cathedral treasury; Orthodox pilgrim groups regularly serve molebens before it.

Where

Amiens Cathedral

Address

Place Notre-Dame, 80000 Amiens · on the map

Nearest church

Church of Saint Nicholas in Lille

Tours

Tomb of Saint Martin of Tours

Apostle of Gaul (c. 316–397), one of the most venerated saints of the West, honoured also by the Orthodox Church. The tomb is in the crypt of the basilica.

Where

Basilica of Saint Martin

Address

7 rue Baleschoux, 37000 Tours · on the map

Nearest church

Church of Saint Martin the Merciful (Archdiocese), 6 rue Eupatoria, Tours

Marseille

Crypt of Saint-Victor Abbey and relics of Saint Victor of Marseille

One of the oldest monastic sites in Gaul, founded by Saint John Cassian around 415. The crypt holds early Christian sarcophagi and venerated relics.

Where

Saint-Victor Abbey

Address

Place Saint-Victor, 13007 Marseille · on the map

Nearest church

Parish of Saint Hermogenes, 100 avenue Clot Bey

Vézelay

Relics of Saint Mary Magdalene, Equal to the Apostles

Venerated relics in the crypt of the 12th-century basilica, one of the great pilgrimage centres of medieval Europe and the start of one of the routes to Santiago.

Where

Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene

Address

Place de la Basilique, 89450 Vézelay · on the map

Nearest church

Parishes in Dijon and Chalon

Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume

The head of Saint Mary Magdalene, Equal to the Apostles

The head is kept in the crypt of the basilica; nearby is the grotto of Sainte-Baume where, according to Provençal tradition, the saint spent her last years.

Where

Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene

Address

Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, 83470 Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume · on the map

Nearest church

Community in Toulon (Archdiocese)