The Relics of the Holy Martyrs
“According to St. John Chrysostom, the beneficial aspects of martyrdom, including the martyrs' continuing and aiding presence in the Church, are felt after the martyrs' death, through their holy relics. These relics become vehicles manifesting God's power and love towards mankind in several ways. In the one instance, they thwart the devil's attack upon Christians and endlessly wound the devil, as they remind him of Christ's saving death and resurrection, which were imitated by the holy martyrs. In another way, they impart great benefits to the Christians who venerate them, and seek the assistance of the martyrs to whom they belong. The benefits imparted include restoration of physical and mental health to the ill and preservation of the healthy; also, human beings are taught about Christ's Gospel, they are led towards virtue (or excellence), and are cleansed from the unclean spirits, which are exorcised; even the dead may be brought back to life. Finally, the relics of the martyrs are used as altars for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, and thus grant great benefits to the faithful throughout Salvation History (i.e., both in the Old and New Testaments), because they are imbued by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.”
[Martyrdom According to John Chrysostom: “To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain”, by the Rev. Dr. Gus G. Christo]
