The Relics
During a visit to the monastery in 1242, brother Leonardo da Latisana, a Dominican friar, made an important discovery. While renovation work was under way both in the Church of San Giovanni and in the Tempietto, he noticed a small box hidden inside the altar of the Oratory of Santa Maria in Valle. When he opened it, he found that it contained relics of Saints Anastasia, Agape, Chionia, Irene, Chrysogonus and Zoilus.
Over time, this discovery is retold almost as a miracle. It was said that when the friar lifted the pall covering the relics, a strong fragrance spread through the air, enveloping the entire village. People rushed to the monastery in such numbers that the nuns were forced to close off access for safety. A series of supposed miracles followed, prompting the patriarch to declare the event divine, and bestow indulgences to the faithful.
All the donations helped the monastery’s financial situation.
