Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Today, while in Valencia, Pope to venerate chalice believed to be Holy Grail

Pope to Venerate Holy Grail

Chalice Kept in Valencia Is Sacred Icon

MADRID, Spain, JULY 7, 2006 (Zenit.org).- When Benedict XVI is in Valencia on Saturday, he will stop to venerate the chalice that is traditionally considered the one Christ used at the Last Supper.

According to author and professor Salvador Antuñano Alea, the Last Supper's holy chalice, kept in the cathedral of Valencia, bases its probability on tradition and "very reasonable archaeological and historical evidence" but for Christians what is most important is "its condition as a sacred icon."

The Christian people venerate it because it "represents for them and takes them back to the sublime moment in which the Son of God left us his Blood as drink before shedding it on the cross," explained Antuñano to ZENIT.

A doctor in philosophy and professor at the University of Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid, Antuñano became interested in the holy grail given the conjectures, its alleged magical powers and the confusion between history and reality.

He wrote "The Mystery of the Holy Grail: Tradition and Legend of the Holy Chalice," published by EDICEP in 1999.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 9:27 AM