The Church no longer requires that an altar have a relic of a saint embedded in it. However, most older churches as well as some newer churches have an altar stone with a relic of a saint, usually a martyr.
From the earliest years of the Church until recently it has been customary to place a first class relic (small piece of the body) of a saint, usually a martyr, in an altar stone that is part of the altar. This is no longer a requirement. This was in remembrance of the early years when Mass was said in the catacombs on the tombs of the martyrs.
Saint Gregory the Great is buried in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. His remains are located in a sarcophagus below the main altar of the Chapel of the Madonna of the Column.
Saint Peter is buried under the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Extensive studies by archeologists over many years have found what appear to be the remains of the saint there. A few months back the bones were presented to Pope Francis.
This depends as you could be talking about either St. Peter or St. Paul, both of whom are believed to be buried in Rome. St. Peter, by tradition, is buried under the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, where the Holy Pontiff celebrates Solemn Mass, and St. Paul is said, as of only about a decade ago, to be buried under the main altar of St. Paul Outside the Walls, also in Rome.Sidenote- some may disagree that Rome, which I speak of as including Vatican City, is not actually Vatican City. This is true.
Saint Benedict is buried in the Abbey of Monte Cassino in Italy. The abbey is located on a hilltop near the town of Cassino, about 130 kilometers southeast of Rome. Saint Benedict is the founder of the Benedictine Order and his tomb is considered a place of pilgrimage for Catholics.
In the past it was required to have a relic of a martyr embedded in the altar of each church. That is no longer required. Also, those churches who wish a relic in their altar no longer must have a relic of a martyr. The relic of any saint may be used.
There is no patron saint of altar societies.
The patron saints of altar servers are:Holy InnocentsJohn BerchmansNicholas of MyraTarsicius
Nobody is buried in the altar at Saint Peter's, however, the altar is built directly over the tomb of St. Peter, the first apostle.
When a saint is beatified, a relic of that saint is often presented to the pope. In some cases, the relic may be a piece of bone, a small amount of bone, or other body part.
From the earliest years of the Church until recently it has been customary to place a first class relic (small piece of the body) of a saint, usually a martyr, in an altar stone that is part of the altar. This is no longer a requirement. This was in remembrance of the early years when Mass was said in the catacombs on the tombs of the martyrs.
Patrons of altar serversJohn BerchmansTarsicius
To identify which saint relics are in an altar, you would typically need to refer to the documentation or inventory provided by the church or religious institution. Relics are usually authenticated and documented by the church authorities, so consulting these official records would be the most reliable way to determine which saint relics are present in the altar.
A part of the body of a saint (bone, hair, etc.) is a first class relic. An item owned and used by the saint is a second class relic.
Dark Axe Stumps
Saint Peter's tomb is located below the main altar of Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Any bone or other tissue removed from the body of a saint is a first class relic.