Well there was someone that related this: a point in getting people to worship statues, icons or other physical artifacts was for collecting a kind energy not so well known outside certain circles. Relevantly, it was said that after the resurrection of Jesus, oracles around Rome stopped working. Hmmm wonder why.
P.S. Simon Magus was apparently referred to by some as "the Christ". The painting illustrates an alleged competition between Simon Magus and Peter whereby after prayer Simon Magus fell when the power supporting him ceased and his feet shattered. It is said that his bones were found near Rome during the 1940s (ca. 1942)..with thee bones of his feet missing. Peters bones having been found near Jerusalem.
As a reminder:As Correnti continued to examine the bones one very curious factor leapt right out at him -- every part of the skeleton was represented EXCEPT FOR THE FEET! "Only THE FEET, from the ankles down, were ENTIRELY MISSING. Not a single one of the many small bones to be found in the human foot could be seen on the table" (The Bones of Saint Peter, p. 107). How curious! There has been little or no comment from the Catholic Church on this peculiarity of the graffiti wall cache. That these bones may have been lost because of their small size is no answer because many bones from the fingers of a similar size are present -- showing how much care and devotion was used with these relics.
Perspectives.The pontifex maximus Scaevola thought it expedient that the people should be deceived in religion; and the learned Varro said plainly, that there are many truths, which it is useless for the vulgar to know; and many falsities which it is fit the people should not suppose are falsities. (Note: Vid Augustin. de civ. Dei, B. 4 [...].) Hence comes the adage "Mundus vult decipi, decipiatur ergo."
P.S. #2 One of the most fundamental 'magic spells' is that of summoning. A related word is 'apparitor' (a lot like "apppear" or "appearance").
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