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Bulgaria Hopes Religious Archeological Find Will Draw Tourists

By Howard M. Friedman

Today's Wall Street Journal reports that the Bulgarian government is hoping that tourism receives a boost after an archaeological discovery on an island off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. Archaeologists and clerics say they have found bones belonging to St. John the Baptist, who is particularly revered by Orthodox Christians. The remains, including a skull fragment and a tooth, were discovered during excavation of a 4th century monastery on St. Ivan Island. They were buried next to a small urn inscribed with St. John's name and birth date. Bulgaria's Orthodox Church says they are authentic. The government is spending millions of dollars on items such as a new parking lot and new signs in preparation for a flood of tourists. However a number of countries claim to have bones or body parts of St. John.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 13, 2010 (boomark / email).