Shrine and Idol Destruction in Three Carolingian Hagiographic Texts
David P. Appleby
Examination of shrine and idol destruction stories included in three hagiographic texts rewritten by élite Carolingian authors shows that this thematic element may illuminate the concerns horizon expectation revisers. Destruction episodes contributed to eponymous heroes shaped heritage identity monastic communities, even seemed worth projecting into ancient Christian past. In absence uniform disciplinary doctrinal guidance regarding relics, unholy matter also have delineated boundary separating legitimate from illegitimate devotional objects practices.
The Journal of Ecclesiastical History