Maybe I was being imprecise, but I thought icons were objects of veneration and, sure as shooting, that is what his remains (if they are that) will become. Seems to me that nearly all relics become icons - at least in the minds of people I’ve seen around the world worshipping them. I think Paul would’ve favored mouldering away.
Yes, we agree that both relics and icons are objects of veneration. But does that mean that a relic is the same thing as an icon?
After much reading it is clear to me that Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox make a clear distinction between worship and veneration. Only God is worshiped. Relics and icons are venerated. It seems to me that Protestants do not make this distinction between worship and veneration since neither relics nor icons play a role in Protestant churches (well, the vast majority of Protestant churches).
It seems to me that an icon is a piece of religious art, either painted or sculpted by a human hand. But relics are the remains of a deceased saint. The icon is created by a human being. The relics were once a living human being. They are both objects of veneration. But does that mean a relic is an icon?