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Home>>Curated Collections>>Relics of Saint Lucia of Syracuse, Early Christian Martyr

Relics of Saint Lucia of Syracuse, Early Christian Martyr

St. Lucia of Syracuse, also known as Saint Lucy, is one of the most revered martyrs of early Christianity. Born in the late 3rd century in Syracuse, Sicily, Lucia is celebrated for her unwavering faith and her martyrdom during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Diocletian around the year 304 AD. Her name, derived from the Latin lux, meaning “light,” symbolizes her role as a beacon of spiritual clarity and courage.

According to tradition, Lucia consecrated her life and virginity to Christ and vowed to give her wealth to the poor. When her betrothed suitor learned of her vow and her refusal to marry him, he denounced her to the Roman authorities as a Christian. Despite brutal attempts to force her into renouncing her faith, including torture and threats of forced prostitution, Lucia remained steadfast. She was ultimately executed, and her legacy quickly spread throughout Christendom.

The veneration of St. Lucia began almost immediately after her death. By the 6th century, her name appeared in the Canon of the Mass, solidifying her importance in early Christian worship. Her feast day, celebrated on December 13th, is widely observed, particularly in Sicily and Scandinavian countries, where she is honored as the patron saint of light and sight.

The relics of St. Lucia have had a storied and often tumultuous history. Initially buried in Syracuse, her remains were later transferred to Constantinople in the 8th century to protect them from Arab invasions. During the Fourth Crusade in 1204, her relics were taken to Venice, where they now rest in the Church of San Geremia. Her head, however, is preserved in a separate reliquary in Syracuse, and smaller relics have been distributed to churches across Europe.

Devotees continue to venerate St. Lucia's relics, believing in their spiritual power and seeking her intercession, particularly for ailments of the eyes and sight. The veneration of her relics serves not only as a testament to her faith but also as a tangible link connecting generations of Christians to her enduring legacy. Through her relics and her story, St. Lucia remains a powerful symbol of faith, courage, and light in the face of darkness.

1795 Vatican documented reliquary theca with relics of St. Lucia (Lucy) of Syracuse, Martyr

Oval glass-fronted silver pendant reliquary theca housing precious first-class ex ossibus (from the bone) relic of St. Lucia. The relic is affixed to a red silk background decorated with gilt paperolle and silver wire ornamentation and identified on a manuscript cedula label as Ex Oss. // S. Luciae V.M. (of the bone of Saint Lucia, Virgin & Martyr). On the back, the theca is secured with a perfectly-preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Fr. Francesco Saverio Cristiani O.E.S.A. († 1800), Titular Bishop of Porphyreon in a capacity of the Sacristan of the Apostolic Palace during the pontificate of Pope Pius VI (p. 1775-1799). The relic is accompanied by an original matching authentics document issued and signed by Fr.  Cristiani in 1795.

  • ID# 266-RSCR-6
  • Size 34 x 28 mm
  • Age ca. 1795
  • Origin Vatican
  • Materials silver, glass, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price $2,850
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross

1789 Vatican documented reliquary with relics of Saint Lucia (Lucy) of Syracuse, Martyr

Oval glass-fronted silver reliquary theca decorated on the perimeter with twisted wire and housing first class ex ossibus (from the bone) relics of Saint Lucia of Syracuse. The relics are affixed to a red silk background around golden paperolle ornamentation and identified on a paper cedula as S. Luciae M. (Saint Lucia, Martyr). On the back the theca is protected by a seal of red wax with a clear imprint of a coat of arms of Francesco Saverio Cristiani O.E.S.A. (†), Titular Bishop of Porphyreon and the Sacristan to the Holy See (1782 - 1800)The reliquary is accompanied by a matching authentics document issued and signed by fr. Cristiani in 1789. The document has some damage on the left side as pictured. 

  • ID# 08-RSMB-65
  • Size 33 x 30 mm
  • Age ca. 1789
  • Origin Vatican
  • Materials silver, glass, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price $2,750
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross

1744 Documented reliquary theca with relics of St. Lucia (Lucy) of Syracuse, Martyr

Oval glass-fronted silver reliquary theca housing precious first-class ex ossibus (from the bone) relic of St. Lucia. The relic is affixed to a gold silk background decorated with silver wire ornamentation and identified on a manuscript cedula label as S. Luciae V.M. (Saint Lucia, Virgin & Martyr). On the back, the theca is secured with a perfectly-preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Fr. Salvatore Castellino, the Vicar General of Genoa. The relic is accompanied by an original matching authentics document issued and signed by Fr. Castellino in 1744 under the orders of the Archbishop of Genoa Nicolò Maria de’ Franchi O.P. (†).

  • ID# 221-RSCR-85
  • Size 45 x 33 mm
  • Age ca. 1744
  • Origin Genoa, Italy
  • Materials silver, silk, glass
  • Price $2,750
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross

1833 Documented reliquary theca with relics of St. Lucia (Lucy) of Syracuse

Oval glass-fronted silver reliquary theca housing the first-class ex ossibus (from the bone) relic of Saint Lucia of Syracuse. The relic is affixed to a silk ground surrounded by silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a manuscript cedula label as S. Luciae V.M. (Saint Lucia Virgin & Martyr).  On the back, the theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Father Vitale Loschi (†1842), Bishop of Parma (1831-1842). The relic is accompanied by the original matching authentics document issued and sealed by the order of Bishop Loschi in 1833.

  • ID# 31-281-RSCR-225
  • Size 27 x 24 mm
  • Age ca. 1833
  • Origin Parma, Italy
  • Materials silver, glass, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price $2,375
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross

1810 Documented reliquary theca with relics of St. Apollonia & St. Lucia of Syracuse

Oval glass-fronted silver reliquary theca housing the first-class ex ossibus (of a bone) relics of two female martyr Saints: Saint Apolonia, and Saint Lucia of Syracuse. Precious relics are affixed to a silk ground and identified in Latin on manuscript cedulae labels as Ex Oss / S. Apolon. / S. Luciae (of the bone of Saint Apolonia, Saint Lucia).  On the back, under the protective cap, the theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of MonsignorCarlo Francesco Maria Caselli O.S.M. (†), Bishop of Parma (1804–1828). The relic is accompanied by the original matching authentics document issued and sealed by the order of Cardinal Caselli in 1810.

  • ID# 21-281-RSCR-225
  • Size 28 x 25 mm
  • Age ca. 1810
  • Origin Parma, Italy
  • Materials silver, glass, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price $2,275
  • Silver

Vatican Reliquary theca with relics of Martyr Saint Lucia of Syracuse, Protectress in Epidemics

Round white-metal glass-fronted reliquary theca housing first-class ex ossibus  (of the bone) relics of Saint Lucia of Syracuse. The relic is affixed to a red silk ground and identified in Latin on a typeset cedula label as S. Luciae, V. Mart. (Saint Lucia, Virgin & Martyr).  On the back, under a protective cap, the theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Monsignor Ugo Poletti (†1997), Cardinal Vicar General of Rome (1973–1991). 

  • ID# 639-RSGSR
  • Size 32 mm across
  • Age ca. 1990s
  • Origin Vatican
  • Materials Metal, glass, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price $775
  • Orthodox Cross

Reliquary theca with relics of Saints Lucia and Saint Petronax of Monte Cassino

Fancy glass fronted gilt bronze reliquary theca dating to 18th century and housing relics of Saint Lucia of Syracuse and Saint Petronax of Monte Cassino. The theca is seucred on the back with a coat of arms of a Catholic Bishop. 

  • ID# 13-LPR-2
  • Size 50 x 35 mm
  • Age ca. 18th century
  • Materials Gilt bronze
  • Price $675

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