The claims
Each entry pairs a reported miracle with the documentary record and an honest, confidence-labeled estimate of how likely it is that no natural explanation accounts for it.
Each entry pairs a reported miracle with the documentary record and an honest, confidence-labeled estimate of how likely it is that no natural explanation accounts for it.
25 claims
Philostratus's biography of Apollonius records him apparently restoring a recently deceased Roman senator's daughter to life in Rome -- a miracle explicitly paralleled to Gospel resurrection accounts by later commentators.
Philostratus's biography of Apollonius records him apparently restoring a recently deceased Roman senator's daughter to life in Rome -- a miracle explicitly paralleled to Gospel resurrection accounts by later commentators.
In the final book of City of God (c. 426 CE), Augustine of Hippo compiled approximately seventy attested miracle accounts from his own diocese, presenting them as evidence that miracles had not ceased with the apostolic age.
In the final book of City of God (c. 426 CE), Augustine of Hippo compiled approximately seventy attested miracle accounts from his own diocese, presenting them as evidence that miracles had not ceased with the apostolic age.
The Venerable Bede, in his Prose Life of St. Cuthbert (c. 721 CE) and Ecclesiastical History (731 CE), catalogues dozens of miracles by the Northumbrian bishop including post-mortem healings from his incorrupt body.
The Venerable Bede, in his Prose Life of St. Cuthbert (c. 721 CE) and Ecclesiastical History (731 CE), catalogues dozens of miracles by the Northumbrian bishop including post-mortem healings from his incorrupt body.
Following cremation of Buddhist monks, small crystal or bead-like objects called sarira are frequently recovered from the ashes and venerated as signs of spiritual attainment — a phenomenon spanning multiple centuries and cultures.
Following cremation of Buddhist monks, small crystal or bead-like objects called sarira are frequently recovered from the ashes and venerated as signs of spiritual attainment — a phenomenon spanning multiple centuries and cultures.
From the 16th to early 20th centuries, approximately 80 documented cases of alleged dybbuk possession were recorded in rabbinic literature, representing the primary Jewish tradition of spiritual possession and exorcism.
From the 16th to early 20th centuries, approximately 80 documented cases of alleged dybbuk possession were recorded in rabbinic literature, representing the primary Jewish tradition of spiritual possession and exorcism.
A German priest celebrating Mass in Bolsena reportedly experienced a bleeding host that stained the corporal linen; the event allegedly prompted Pope Urban IV to institute the Feast of Corpus Christi.
A German priest celebrating Mass in Bolsena reportedly experienced a bleeding host that stained the corporal linen; the event allegedly prompted Pope Urban IV to institute the Feast of Corpus Christi.
In 1858, a 14-year-old French girl reported 18 apparitions of 'a Lady' in a grotto near Lourdes, where a spring emerged that has since been associated with thousands of reported miraculous cures.
In 1858, a 14-year-old French girl reported 18 apparitions of 'a Lady' in a grotto near Lourdes, where a spring emerged that has since been associated with thousands of reported miraculous cures.
When a sarcophagus believed to contain Saint Cecilia was opened in 1599, witnesses reported finding a body in a distinctive position; sculptor Stefano Maderno created an exact marble replica — but no witness actually saw her face, and historians dispute the account.
When a sarcophagus believed to contain Saint Cecilia was opened in 1599, witnesses reported finding a body in a distinctive position; sculptor Stefano Maderno created an exact marble replica — but no witness actually saw her face, and historians dispute the account.
British Pentecostal evangelist Smith Wigglesworth claimed to have raised between three and fourteen people from the dead across his ministry (sources vary wildly), but not one account was ever independently authenticated, and his own daughter remained deaf despite his healing ministry.
British Pentecostal evangelist Smith Wigglesworth claimed to have raised between three and fourteen people from the dead across his ministry (sources vary wildly), but not one account was ever independently authenticated, and his own daughter remained deaf despite his healing ministry.
2% authenticIn 1762, a supposed haunting at a lodging house on Cock Lane, London -- attributed to the spirit of a murdered woman -- was investigated by a committee including Samuel Johnson and exposed as a fraud perpetrated by a young girl and her father.
In 1762, a supposed haunting at a lodging house on Cock Lane, London -- attributed to the spirit of a murdered woman -- was investigated by a committee including Samuel Johnson and exposed as a fraud perpetrated by a young girl and her father.
2% authenticPhotographs of fairies taken by two Yorkshire cousins in 1917, which convinced Arthur Conan Doyle and leading spiritualists of fairy existence, were confessed by both subjects in 1983 to be cardboard cutouts supported on hatpins.
Photographs of fairies taken by two Yorkshire cousins in 1917, which convinced Arthur Conan Doyle and leading spiritualists of fairy existence, were confessed by both subjects in 1983 to be cardboard cutouts supported on hatpins.
Augustine personally witnessed and documented the healing of Paulus, a Cappadocian man afflicted with convulsions, at the shrine of St. Stephen in Hippo c. 425 CE, and days later the healing of his sister Palladia at the same altar.
Augustine personally witnessed and documented the healing of Paulus, a Cappadocian man afflicted with convulsions, at the shrine of St. Stephen in Hippo c. 425 CE, and days later the healing of his sister Palladia at the same altar.
The synoptic Gospels (Mark 5:24-34, Luke 8:42-48, Matthew 9:19-22) describe Jesus healing a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years by her touching the hem of his garment.
The synoptic Gospels (Mark 5:24-34, Luke 8:42-48, Matthew 9:19-22) describe Jesus healing a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years by her touching the hem of his garment.
Each Orthodox Holy Saturday, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch emerges from Christ's Tomb bearing candles said to have been lit by spontaneous blue flame — claimed as the longest-attested annual Christian miracle.
Each Orthodox Holy Saturday, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch emerges from Christ's Tomb bearing candles said to have been lit by spontaneous blue flame — claimed as the longest-attested annual Christian miracle.
The body of Francis Xavier was declared incorrupt when returned to Goa in 1554, two years after his death, and remains on public display at the Basilica of Bom Jesus -- though the body has visibly deteriorated and lost limbs over centuries.
The body of Francis Xavier was declared incorrupt when returned to Goa in 1554, two years after his death, and remains on public display at the Basilica of Bom Jesus -- though the body has visibly deteriorated and lost limbs over centuries.
Beginning in 1727, pilgrims at the tomb of Jansenist deacon Francois de Paris in the Saint-Medard cemetery reported miraculous cures and fell into violent convulsions; the phenomenon attracted thousands and became David Hume's chosen test case for miracle testimony.
Beginning in 1727, pilgrims at the tomb of Jansenist deacon Francois de Paris in the Saint-Medard cemetery reported miraculous cures and fell into violent convulsions; the phenomenon attracted thousands and became David Hume's chosen test case for miracle testimony.
Russia's most-traveled wonder-working icon, the 13th-century Kursk Root Icon of the Sign, survived a 1898 bomb blast that destroyed its iron canopy and marble pedestal while leaving the icon and its glass untouched.
Russia's most-traveled wonder-working icon, the 13th-century Kursk Root Icon of the Sign, survived a 1898 bomb blast that destroyed its iron canopy and marble pedestal while leaving the icon and its glass untouched.
The 1st-century CE Pythagorean philosopher Apollonius of Tyana was credited with healings, exorcisms, prophecy, and a resurrection in a biography by Philostratus written c. 220-235 CE.
The 1st-century CE Pythagorean philosopher Apollonius of Tyana was credited with healings, exorcisms, prophecy, and a resurrection in a biography by Philostratus written c. 220-235 CE.
Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier (1506-1552) had modest miracle claims in his lifetime, but a posthumous hagiographic tradition amplified them dramatically -- including a fabricated gift of tongues first attributed to him nearly eighty years after his death.
Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier (1506-1552) had modest miracle claims in his lifetime, but a posthumous hagiographic tradition amplified them dramatically -- including a fabricated gift of tongues first attributed to him nearly eighty years after his death.
Multiple saints and mystics have been reported to emit sweet floral fragrances — during life, at death, or from their bodies after death — a phenomenon attributed to supernatural holiness but with several proposed natural explanations.
Multiple saints and mystics have been reported to emit sweet floral fragrances — during life, at death, or from their bodies after death — a phenomenon attributed to supernatural holiness but with several proposed natural explanations.
The icon central to Pontic Greek Orthodox identity, attributed by tradition to St. Luke the Evangelist, was secretly buried by monks in 1923 at the time of the Lausanne population exchange and successfully recovered and transferred to Greece in 1931.
The icon central to Pontic Greek Orthodox identity, attributed by tradition to St. Luke the Evangelist, was secretly buried by monks in 1923 at the time of the Lausanne population exchange and successfully recovered and transferred to Greece in 1931.
The claim that Jesus of Nazareth rose bodily from the dead after crucifixion c. 30 CE is the central miracle claim of Christianity and the most debated resurrection claim in Western historiography.
The claim that Jesus of Nazareth rose bodily from the dead after crucifixion c. 30 CE is the central miracle claim of Christianity and the most debated resurrection claim in Western historiography.
After Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc self-immolated in 1963, his heart was reportedly found intact after cremation, re-burned, and still remained unconsumed — a relic now enshrined at Xa Loi Pagoda that has not been independently scientifically examined.
After Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Quang Duc self-immolated in 1963, his heart was reportedly found intact after cremation, re-burned, and still remained unconsumed — a relic now enshrined at Xa Loi Pagoda that has not been independently scientifically examined.
Irish faith healer Valentine Greatrakes toured England in 1666, reportedly curing scrofula, epilepsy, and other conditions by stroking; his practice was observed and partially endorsed by Royal Society fellows including Robert Boyle.
Irish faith healer Valentine Greatrakes toured England in 1666, reportedly curing scrofula, epilepsy, and other conditions by stroking; his practice was observed and partially endorsed by Royal Society fellows including Robert Boyle.
Roman Emperor Vespasian reportedly healed a blind man and a man with a withered limb in Alexandria c. 69 CE, as recorded by Tacitus, Suetonius, and Cassius Dio.
Roman Emperor Vespasian reportedly healed a blind man and a man with a withered limb in Alexandria c. 69 CE, as recorded by Tacitus, Suetonius, and Cassius Dio.