About Bruges: The Holy Blood

The Holy Blood

Although it is generally thought that a phial of blood believed to be the blood of Jesus Christ arrived in Bruges in 1150, recent investigations have shown that it probably arrived in Bruges around 1250. The phial is made of rock crystal and is thought to have originated from Constantinople (now Istanbul inTurkey) and was actually designed as a container for perfume. Despite the fact that the Bible has no mention of Christ’s blood being preserved, the story goes that the relic contained blood washed from the body of Christ by Joseph of Aramethea and was brought to Bruges by Derick of Alsace who had been given it in honour of his bravery during the second crusade.

The Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbaslilek) where the relic is stored is divided into two chapels and was originally built at the beginning of the 12th century. On the ground floor is Sint-Basiliuskapel (St Basil’s Chapel) which was built between 1134 and 1157 to house a relic of St Basil. The massive dark, bare pillars of stone give it a dark and bleak feeling. Upstairs is the Chapel of the Holy Blood which is reached by a spiral staircase. It is here that the phial of blood is kept in a magnificent silver tabernacle. Legend has it that only a few weeks after the relic arrived in Bruges it was found to be dry but then it miraculously liquified every Friday at 6pm until 1325. Although the blood has not turned into liquid since 1325 it is still venerated every Friday in the upper chapel and every day from the 3rd to the 17th of May. The phial became the focus of great devotion and it is said that there were miraculous healings among the worshippers who gathered to venerate it on a Friday.

Every Ascension Day (a Thursday 40 days after Easter and usually in the middle of May), the Holy Blood is carried through the city in a colourful but solemn procession called the Heilig-Bloedprocessie (Procession of the Holy Blood). The Noble Brotherhood of the Holy Blood which was set up to protect and honour the holy relic, ride on horseback at the head of the procession with many local people following in medieval costume and re-enacting Biblical scenes. The reliquary which holds the phial of blood during the procession is in gold and silver, encrusted in jewels and decorated with tiny pictures depicting religious scenes. It is on view to visitors throughout the year in the treasury next to the upper chapel.
Each year the programme of events is the same starting with the Veneration of the Relic in the Basilica of the Holy Blood at 8.30am followed by High Mass in St Saviours Cathedral at 11am. The three-hour procession starts at 3pm and the day concludes with Benediction and Worship of the Relic in Burg square at 6pm.

 

 

 

 

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