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Home>>Curated Collections>>Veneration of Relics of St Apollonia: Martyr, Patron of Dentists and Toothache

Veneration of Relics of St Apollonia: Martyr, Patron of Dentists and Toothache

Saint Apollonia of Alexandria is one of the most revered early Christian martyrs, celebrated as the patron saint of dentists and those suffering from toothache. Her story, rooted in courage and steadfast faith, has inspired generations of Christians and left an enduring legacy in both religious devotion and dental care traditions.

Saint Apollonia lived in 3rd-century Alexandria during a period of intense persecution of Christians under Emperor Philip the Arab. According to historical accounts, most notably from the historian Eusebius of Caesarea, Saint Apollonia was an elderly deaconess deeply respected for her piety and service to the Christian community. During a violent uprising against Christians, Saint Apollonia was seized, and her captors brutally struck her face, shattering her teeth. They then threatened to burn her alive unless she renounced her faith. Choosing martyrdom over apostasy, Saint Apollonia willingly leaped into the flames, becoming a powerful symbol of unwavering devotion.

The veneration of Saint Apollonia began soon after her martyrdom. Saint Apollonia was honored as a saint not only for her sacrifice but also for her association with toothache relief due to the nature of her torture. Her feast day, February 9th, became widely observed in both the Eastern and Western Christian traditions.

Relics associated with Saint Apollonia, including fragments of her teeth and bones, were distributed across Europe during the Middle Ages. These relics were enshrined in churches and cathedrals, becoming objects of deep reverence and pilgrimage. Notable reliquaries containing her relics can be found in churches in Rome, Antwerp, and other European cities. Pilgrims would visit these sites, seeking Saint Apollonia's intercession for relief from dental pain and diseases of the mouth.

In addition to her physical relics, Saint Apollonia's image became a common motif in Christian art, often depicted holding a pair of pincers gripping a tooth, symbolizing both her suffering and her role as a protector against dental afflictions. Dentists adopted her as their patron saint, and prayers invoking Saint Apollonia's aid remain popular among those suffering from toothache or facing dental procedures.

Saint Apollonia’s legacy endures as a testament to courage, faith, and compassion. Through Saint Apollonia's relics and her patronage, Saint Apollonia continues to bring comfort and spiritual relief to those in physical pain, reminding the faithful of the power of steadfast devotion in the face of suffering.

1807 Vatican documented reliquary with relics of St. Apollonia, Martyr of Alexandria, Patron of Dentists and tooth problems

Small oval crystal-fronted silver pendant reliquary theca housing the first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint ApolloniaThe relic is  affixed to a silk ground surrounded by silver wire and paperolle ornamentation and identified in Latin on a  manuscript cedula label as S. Apolloniae (Saint Apollonia). 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 Monsignor Giulio Maria della Somaglia (†1830), Cardinal-Priest of Santa Sabina (mother church of the Dominican order), Papal Vicar General, and Prefect of the Congregation of Sacred Rites. The theca is accompanied by the original matching authentics documents issued at the Vatican and signed by Monsignor Somaglia in 1807. 

  • ID# 254-RSCR-75
  • Size 32 x 26 mm
  • Age ca. 1807
  • Origin Vatican
  • Materials silver, crystal, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price $2,350
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross

1831 Documented reliquary theca with relic of St. Francis of Paola, O.M. & St. Apollonia Martyr

Oval glass-fronted brass pendant reliquary theca housing the second-class ex habitu (of a habit) relic of Saint Francis of Paola and the first-class ex ossibus (of a bone) relic of Saint Apollonia. Relics are affixed to the center of the theca surrounded by gilt paperolle and silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a manuscript cedulae labels as S. Francisi de Paula // ex ossibus S. Apolloniae V.M. (Saint Francis of Paola // of the bone of Saint Apollonia, Virgin & Martyr).  On the back, under a glass-fronted protective cap, 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 1831.

  • ID# 35-281-RSCR-225
  • Size 34 x 27 mm
  • Age ca. 1831
  • Origin Parma, Italy
  • Materials brass, glass, silk, paper, silver, Spanish wax
  • Price $2,275

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

1802 Vatican documented reliquary theca with relics of Saint Apollonia of Alexandria, Martyr & patron of dentistry

Oval brass glass-fronted reliquary housing the first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relics of Saint Apollonia. The relic is affixed to the background of red silk ground surrounded by paperolle and silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a typeset cedula label as S. Apolloni / Virg. e Mart. (St. Apollonia, Virgin & Martyr). On the back, the theca is secured with a perfectly preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of Fr. Giuseppe Bartolomeo Menocchio, O.E.S.A. (1741- 1823), Titular Bishop of Porphyreon and Sacristan of His Holiness Pius VII. The relic is accompanied by the original matching authentics document issued by Fr. Menocchio in 1802.

  • ID# 235-RSCR-4
  • Size 28 x 24 mm
  • Age ca. 1802
  • Origin Vatican
  • Materials silvered brass, glass, silk, paper, Spanish wax
  • Price $1,750
  • Orthodox Cross
New Arrival
Fine reliquary theca with relics of St. Apollonia, Martyr, Patron of Dentists and tooth problems

Fine reliquary theca with relics of St. Apollonia, Martyr, Patron of Dentists and tooth problems

Fancy oval glass-fronted silver pendant reliquary theca surrounded by silver filigree ornamentation housing the first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Apollonia of Alexandria.  A sizable relic is affixed to a gilt-paper starburst on a ground of red silk, surrounded by silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a fancy manuscript cedula label as Ex Oss. S. Apolloniae V. & M. (of the bone of  St. Apollonia, Virgin and Martyr). On the back, the theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Fr. Francesco Maria Ginori (†1775), Bishop of Fiesole, Italy (1736–1775).

  • ID# 62-RSSR-43
  • Size 75 x 60 mm
  • Age ca. mid-18th century
  • Origin Fiesole, Italy
  • Materials silver, glass, paper, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price $1,275
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross

Reliquary theca with relic of St. Apollonia, Martyr of Alexandria, Patroness of Dentistry

Oval glass-fronted silver pendant reliquary theca housing the first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Apollonia of Alexandria.  A sizable relic is affixed to a gilt-paper starburst on a ground of salmon-colored silk, surrounded by silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a fancy manuscript cedula label as Ex Oss. S. Apolloniae V. & M. (of the bone of  St. Apollonia, Virgin and Martyr). On the back, the theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Fr. Francesco Maria Ginori (†1775), Bishop of Fiesole, Italy (1736–1775).

  • ID# 117-RSCR124-7
  • Size 36 x 29 mm
  • Age ca. mid-18th century
  • Origin Fiesole, Italy
  • Materials silver, glass, paper, silk, Spanish wax
  • Price $975
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross

Reliquary theca with relics of St. Apollonia, Martyr, Patron of Dentists and tooth problems

Oval crystal-fronted silver pendant reliquary theca housing the first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Apollonia.  A relic is affixed to a ground of silk, surrounded by gilt paperolle silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a fancy manuscript cedula label as S. Apolloniia. V et M. (Saint Apollonia, 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 Fr. Giuseppe Maria Martelli (†1741) Archbishop of Florence, Italy (1722-1740).

  • ID# 17-RSCR50-125
  • Size 31 x 27 mm
  • Age ca. second quarter of the 18th century
  • Origin Italy
  • Materials silver, crystal, paper, silk, silver, Spanish wax
  • Price $875
  • Silver
  • Orthodox Cross

Reliquary theca with relics of St. Apollonia, Martyr, Patron of Dentists and tooth problems

Oval crystal-fronted brass pendant reliquary theca housing the first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Apollonia.  A relic is affixed to a ground of silk, surrounded by gilt paperolle and silver wire ornamentation and identified in Latin on a fancy manuscript cedula label as S. Apolloniae V. (Saint Apollonia, Virgin). On the back, the theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of an unidentified Roman Catholic Bishop.

  • ID# 33-RSCR50-125
  • Size 32 x 27 mm
  • Age ca. 18th century
  • Origin Italy
  • Materials brass, crystal, silk, paper, silver, Spanish wax
  • Price $575
  • Orthodox Cross

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