Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia holds relics of saints

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia in Awali, Bahrain, houses a collection of holy relics within the Shrine of Our Lady of Arabia and beneath its altar, according to a statement from the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia press office.

The collection includes the relics of St. Arethas of Najran and his companions, who were martyred in Najran in 523. These remains are kept both in the Chapel of Our Lady of Arabia and under the cathedral altar. The press office noted that placing relics beneath the altar follows an early Church custom to connect the Eucharist with the witness of martyrs.