Unearthing "The Cross"

Archaeologists working in Turkey recently discovered a stone chest inside an ancient church that could hold a piece of the cross-used in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 

The excavation of the Balatlar Church in Sinop, Turkey, near the Black Sea is believed to be over thirteen hundred years old. A historian at Turkey's Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts verified the stone chest discovered in the ruins.

According to a report by NBC news, the contents of the box are undergoing rigorous lab tests to find out the age and origin of the relics. The box is believed to have belonged to a believer of great importance because of the quality of the relics.

Other unverified relics of the crucifixion include three or four nails that were used to crucify Jesus. Cited in the Catholic Encyclopedia, no fewer than 30 nails have been recognized as relics of Christ's death.

What would a discovery like this mean to Christians? The Shroud of Turin, another relic that has created controversy over it's origin and lineage, is receiving new interest because of the election of Pope Francis and his attempt to make the Vatican more open and transparent.

Some theologians believe relics of early Christian activity could help some unbelievers find an easier path to finding their faith and make the historic Jesus more real.