Money, St. John the Baptist and Bulgaria

[Jona Lendering]

The latest episode of “celebrity archaeology” has St. John the Baptist’s bones being discovered in a Bulgarian monastery.

What I found discouraging, is the insult to the reader that is implied in the original article. You don't have to be a great scholar to be aware of the fact that those bones are also venerated in Rome and Damascus. Anyone will ask "isn't that bizarre?" Even if you really have those bones, it is wise to address the doubts of the reader. Otherwise, you sound unconvincing and lose credit.

I blogged about it here.