Book IX
The Holy Objects and Their Histories
“A relic is not a thing that was holy. It is a thing that became holy by being used.”
The relics of the Church are not objects of great material value. They are objects of great metaphysical specificity. Each one represents a moment when the Dichotomy was felt rather than understood.
The Church holds that any object can become a relic, given sufficient attention and the right kind of loss.
Found in the First Reconciler's study after her departure. The sentence it was writing was never completed. The Church considers the incomplete sentence to be complete.
Category: Relics of the Interrupted.
A ceramic mug containing the remnants of tea that was allowed to cool while the drinker was sitting with something important.
The tea is no longer in the mug. This is considered theologically significant.
Category: Relics of the Intended.
A message saved but not sent. The recipient was never identified. The Church holds that this is the recipient's role to fill.
The message contains the words "I just wanted to say" followed by nothing that has been recovered.
Category: Relics of the Almost Said.