With the rise of cephalophoric cults, as evidenced by the increasing glorification of cephalophores in medieval art and hagiographies, comes an important and fundamental question: did contemporary believers truly think that decapitated saints could walk and, on occasion, even talk? 3,5 Even in the absence of modern knowledge of anatomy and ...

Cephalophores are often seen as symbols of martyrdom, unwavering faith, and the triumph of the spirit over physical suffering. Their stories remind believers of the power of God’s grace to transcend human limitations and defy the natural order.

While many artists continued to follow this convention for cephalophores, the unusual placement of a cephalophore’s head, which artists often deposited in the headless saint’s hands, could visually diminish the effect of the golden, glowing halo.

But these are just some of the most well-known of the head-carriers. In total, there are more than 120 such “cephalophores,” who are martyred by beheading and yet do not die. (At least, not...

But there's no need to worry: Prayer to cephalophores is well within the bounds of legitimate Catholic spirituality. This is because a “cephalophore” is actually a saint who carried their own...