HOLLYWOOD star Dennis Quaid is on a one man mission to unravel the mysteries of some of the world’s most sacred and holy relics.
From the Philosopher’s Stone to the Ark of the Covenant, the Holy Grail to the Turin Shroud, the actor’s new TV documentary sounds more like the plot of an Indiana Jones movie.
But the star, whose hit films include The Rookie and Great Balls of Fire, is investigating the real-life physical phenomena that has fascinated people for centuries.
Dennis, 70, who rediscovered his faith after battles with cocaine addiction in the 1980s and 1990s, has a new series titled Holy Marvels with Dennis Quaid starting on the Sky History channel on Monday.
Starting with the two arks, Noah’s Ark and the Ark of the Covenant, he promises: “The real life stories of these relics are even better than the movies” as he travels the globe like many before him searching for their whereabouts.
The actor says: “It’s been said that seeing is believing so it makes sense that when some of life’s biggest questions are believed to have left behind physical clues, we want to go see for ourselves.
“Noah’s Ark, the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant, in the series we explore the facts behind some of history’s greatest leaps of faith.
“These one-of-a-kind wonders are revered by cultures all around the world and have been sought after by everyone from emperors, popes and tyrants, to generals, archaeologists and treasure hunters.”
“I was drawn to this project not just because of its intriguing concept but also the way it deeply connects the universal human experience of faith and belief systems.
“This series is a unique opportunity for me to reinvest my religious interests and investigate the rich history of these holy marvels and the importance they hold for people around the globe.”
The eight part series shares incredible tales of faith, devotion and divine intervention tied to coveted objects also including the Fountain of Youth, the Mayan Calendar, the Philosopher’s Stone and the Crown of Thorns.
Hosted, narrated and executive produced by the Emmy Award-nominated and two-time Golden Globe nominated star, each episode combines immersive storytelling with recreations, archive footage, and expert interviews to delve deep into the enigmatic origins and profound power behind each artefact.
Relics are generally defined as the physical remains or objects touched by a saint, prophet, apostle or other important religious figure and are most commonly associated with Christianity, though relics from other belief systems are also widely found throughout the world.
For those wishing to follow in Quaid’s footsteps the Crown of Thorns can be found in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, where it is displayed as a circlet of canes held together by golden threads, to which the thorns were formerly attached.
It was rescued in the fire of 2019 and placed in the Louvre for safe keeping but returns to the cathedral as part of its reopening celebrations next month.
Notre Dame also houses a piece of the True Cross and a Nail of the Passion, so is an excellent place to tick off several relics at once.
The Turin Shroud, the cloth believed to have been used to wrap Christ’s dead body in, lies behind bullet proof glass in Turin Cathedral in northern Italy.
First discovered in 14th century France by a medieval knight, the Turin Shroud is a 4.4-metre length of linen and bears a likeness of a bearded man matching Christ’s description, as well as stains consistent with his wounds.
The Ark of the Covenant, purported to be a religious wooden storage chest decorated in gold, is said to be currently housed in the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Ethiopia.
The Holy Lance, also known as the Spear of Destiny, was used to verify whether Christ was dead on the cross and there is some dispute as to where it is located.
There are spears purporting to be the real deal in Armenia, Austria, Italy and Poland – but the Viennese one is the most famous.
Other relics are even more problematic.
The Holy Grail is most commonly believed to be the cup, bowl or plate from which Jesus ate and drank during the infamous Last Supper.
It has been the focus of countless epic tales in folklore and literature, ranging from ancient times to modern.
The Grail and the quest to locate it featured heavily in the myths surrounding King Arthur, though it’s not clear whether Arthur ever existed in the first place.
Similarly the Philosopher’s Stone is thought to be a legend.
While countless alchemists have searched for the magical elixir through the ages, it has never actually been discovered. However, French notary and bookseller Nicolas Flamel claimed to have discovered it in 1382.
History Channel vice president Eli Lehrer said Quaid’s own personal faith fuelled his enthusiasm for the relics.
Mr Lehrer said: “His connection to the subject matter adds a layer of depth and intrigue to these thought-provoking narratives of diverse spiritual practices and captivating religious experiences that will resonate with viewers.”
*Holy Marvels with Dennis Quaid begins tomorrow (MON) on Sky History at 9pm.
