Summary
The documentary had to bridge the gap between believers and non-believers, and it does so effortlessly.
Believer or non-believer, there’s plenty of room for debate in Mysteries of the Faith, a Netflix documentary series that explains the most blessed and sought-after holy relics. The four-part TV show delves into Christianity’s most precious treasures, ranging from the legendary “Holy Grail” and the “The Saint Next Door”. The most difficult challenge for this series is to entice those without faith in their life, but it manages to succeed in that from the first chapter.
Mysteries of the Faith Season 1 Review and Episode Breakdown
(Please note that the episodes are not numbered in the Netflix dashboard, and we based the numbers on the order presented.)
Episode 1 of Mysteries of the Faith explains the “Crown of Thorns”, divulging the history of Jesus Christ and the headpiece worn when he was sacrificed on the cross. While the Crown of Thorns was used to mock Jesus, it represented a symbol, for he offered his life on the cross to save his father. Still today, it is believed that the Crown of Thorns was venerated.
The first episode brings an exciting segment in biblical history, bringing viewers into the present day. The series reminds us of the fatal fire of Notre Dame in Paris, where the Crown of Thorns laid securely, and the effort from the firefighters to ensure the priceless relic was saved. Mysteries of the Faith brings a sober reminder of the importance of sentiment and preservation and the human need to protect history.
Notre Dame’s Crown of Thorns – Image Via ABC Aus News. (AP: Christophe Ena)
Episode 2 explains the “Holy Grail”, the relic linked to Jesus Christ and the Last Supper. The documentary series is a stark reminder of the practices, nuance, and processes historians have to abide by when verifying history. Verification surrounding religious history is understandably a sensitive ordeal, but the second chapter of this series delves into the myth, legend, and numerous accounts of the existence of the Holy Grail. The subject is handled with grace, recognizing the many attempts in media to discuss the famous relic without stepping on any toes.
The Holy Grail displayed in a church in León, Spain – AFP/Getty Images
Episode 3 delves into the “Holy Cross of Brazil”. The episode dissects the origins of the same cross Jesus died on and how a pilgrim discovered and maintained it. Over the years, fragments of the Holy Cross have been disseminated around the world, with the Netflix series, in particular, zeroing in on Rio de Janeiro, with a sacred splinter being made public for the first time. Again, this is a fascinating chapter, bringing in believers and non-believers and emphasizing the importance of historical findings and our human interpretation of them.
The final and fourth episode, titled “The Saint Next Door”, reveals new holy relics in recent years that are venerated and brought to the public. This chapter is an indictment of the real power of faith, with followers relying on a greater power above them and choosing hope over everything else.
The topic of the “Holy Face of Jesus“ is brought to the viewers, which again raises the sensitive arena where experts and faith-based people often clash in the verification process of certain relics. “The Saint Next Door” is a wonderful closure to an enlightening series that closes the gap between religious and secular beliefs.
Is Mysteries of the Faith a good documentary on holy relics?
This Netflix series is surprising, to say the least. It contributes to the subject respectfully, with balance, and there’s no air of patronization that we’ve come to expect from these types of documentaries.
Mysteries of the Faith could benefit from introducing more holy relics. Embracing legend, fame, fact, and truth makes for a wonderful conversation that can be layered with various perspectives and nuanced.
Its simplistic format and variety of interviews make Mysteries of the Faith a good documentary series about holy relics. There’s no shortchange, as it tackles topics that could be potentially controversial.
Regardless of where your faith lies, this series is worth the time.
