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Secondary sourceSculpture13th century

Tympanum of Fleury Abbey showing translation of Benedict's relics

13th century

A carved stone lintel over a church doorway at Fleury Abbey, showing the translation of Saint Benedict's relics, made centuries after his death.

Shows how Benedict was venerated long after his death through the cult of his relics at Fleury Abbey.

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Carved stone tympanum over a church portal, with a central seated Christ figure in a mandorla surrounded by winged evangelist symbols and angels in arched bands. Below, a lintel scene shows figures gathered around a tomb or altar in a procession-like arrangement. Stone columns flank the doorway beneath.
Tympanum, Fleury Abbey, 13th century.

About this source

What it is

This is a stone tympanum, a carved panel over a church portal, at Fleury Abbey. It was made in the 13th century. The upper part shows Christ seated in glory, surrounded by the symbols of the four evangelists and angels. The lower lintel shows a scene of the translation (ceremonial moving) of Benedict of Nursia's relics.

Why it matters

Benedict lived many centuries before this carving was made, so it does not show him directly but reflects how later generations honoured him. Fleury Abbey claimed to hold his relics, and this sculpture is evidence of the cult that grew up around his memory and of medieval belief in the power of saints' remains.

Look closer

  • What does the arrangement of figures around the tomb suggest about how important this event was to the people who built the church?
  • Why might carvers place Christ above the scene of Benedict's relics?
  • What does this tell us about Benedict's story that is missing — do we see anything of his actual life?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Saint Benedict on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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