Relics have long played a part in certain religions. This is an example of one of the more creepy examples. A study of relics is actually quite illuminating. At one time it was a growth industry in the Middle East and Europe. I haven't checked but I wonder how the market is today?

Creepy is an understatement!

I can give you a quick run down, for the catholic church anyway. Pieces of the actual Saint( like they didn't suffer enough) usually hair is considered a first hand relic. These usually are kept in the churches themselves. Cloth that has touched the saint are considered second hand relics . These are bought from the gift shop/ religious store, etc.
Why? Superstition, for luck, hoping some of the saintly qualities will rub off.

It's one of many reasons I left Catholicism.

Why? Superstition, for luck, hoping some of the saintly qualities will rub off.

Naturally, the other explanation is business. These religious souvenirs are sold to easily fooled people to make money for the Church. Magic talismans have been the stock in trade of all manner of hucksters willing to take advantage of their marks, long before organized religion raised its corporate head. This practice surely has been in existence since mankind came up with the notion of the supernatural. Practitioners of magic have to earn a living too.

Yes indeed. It has been suggested that during the Middle Ages there are enough fragments of the "True Cross" to
reforest a good piece of Europe.