One of the skeletons buried in the leprosy cemetery in Winchester appears to have been a pilgrim.
1.26.2017
CHR Comment: The spread of leprosy preceded the crusades. Europeans may have contracted the disease while on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and brought it back to western Europe.
Source: Leprosy: Medieval pilgrim burial sheds light on how disease spread
A glimpse at the important work that took place at excavations this year.
CHR Comment: The Byzantine synagogue near the Sea of Galilee, Herod’s palace, and the Byzantine pilgrimage site in Nazareth all relate to the early Church era.
Source: Biblical Archaeology’s Top Ten Discoveries of 2015 | Christianity Today
Police said Monday they had seized 3,500 fake Vatican parchments that were being sold to unsuspecting pilgrims taking part in Pope Francis’ Holy Year celebrations.
CHR Comment: The counterfeit parchments commemorate pilgrimages to Rome and personal blessings. They would be worth $76,000 U.S. The Vatican sells its parchments as fund raising for charity. They have decided not to outsource the production of such parchments in the future.
Source: Italy seizes 3,500 fake ‘Apostolic Blessings’ in Rome – The Washington Post
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