1770 Documented Silver Theca with Relics of St. John the Baptist & 5 Apostles: St. Peter, St. Paul, St. James the Greater, St. Andrew & St. Thomas

Oval glass-fronted silver reliquary theca housing first-class ex sacris ossibus (“from the sacred bones”) relics of Saint John the Baptist, Saint Peter the Apostle, Saint Paul the Apostle, Saint James the Greater, Saint Andrew the Apostle, and Saint Thomas the Apostle. The unusually large relics are displayed against a silver ground beneath elaborate gilt-metal scrollwork, with the larger relic of Saint James occupying the center. They are identified in Latin on manuscript cedulae labels as “S. Jo. Bap. Praecur.,” “S. Petri Ap.,” “S. Pauli Ap.,” “S. Jacobi Maj. Ap.,” “S. Andreae Ap.,” and “S. Thomae Ap.” (Saint John the Baptist, Forerunner // Saint Peter the Apostle // Saint Paul the Apostle // Saint James the Greater, Apostle // Saint Andrew the Apostle // Saint Thomas the Apostle). A central devotional label reads “Omnia ossa eorum” (“All their bones”). On the back, under the protective cap, the theca is secured with red silk cord and a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of the coat of arms of Archbishop Giovanni Lercari (†1802), Archbishop of Genoa (1767–1802), Perpetual Abbot of San Siro, Domestic Prelate of His Holiness, Referendary of the Two Apostolic Signatures, and Assistant at the Papal Throne. The theca is accompanied by the matching authentics document issued by Archbishop Lercari at the Archiepiscopal Palace in Genoa on April 24, 1770.

Saint John the Baptist (†c.30), the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, was the prophetic Forerunner who prepared Israel for the coming of Christ through preaching, repentance, and baptism. He baptized Jesus in the River Jordan and publicly condemned the unlawful marriage of Herod Antipas, for which he was imprisoned and beheaded. His Nativity is celebrated on June 24 and his Martyrdom on August 29.

Saint Peter the Apostle (†c.64) was a Galilean fisherman, brother of Saint Andrew, and leader of the Twelve Apostles. Originally named Simon, he was called Peter—the “rock”—by Christ and entrusted with a unique pastoral mission within the Church. Tradition holds that he became the first Bishop of Rome and was crucified upside down during Nero’s persecution. Patron of fishermen and the papacy, his feast day is June 29.

Saint Paul the Apostle (†c.67), born Saul of Tarsus, was transformed from a persecutor of Christians into the great Apostle to the Gentiles following his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. His missionary journeys and New Testament epistles profoundly shaped Christianity. A Roman citizen, he was traditionally beheaded in Rome during Nero’s persecution. Patron of missionaries, theologians, and writers, his feast day is June 29.

Saint James the Greater (†44), son of Zebedee and brother of Saint John the Evangelist, belonged with Peter and John to Christ’s innermost circle of disciples. He witnessed the Transfiguration and the Agony in Gethsemane and became the first Apostle to suffer martyrdom, being executed by order of Herod Agrippa. Traditionally associated with Santiago de Compostela, he is the patron of pilgrims and Spain. His feast day is July 25.

Saint Andrew the Apostle (†c.60), brother of Saint Peter, was a fisherman and disciple of Saint John the Baptist before becoming one of Christ’s first followers. The Byzantine tradition honors him as the Protokletos, or “First-Called.” Ancient tradition associates his missionary work with the Greek world and his martyrdom with Patras, where he was crucified upon an X-shaped cross. Patron of fishermen, Greece, and Scotland, his feast day is November 30.

Saint Thomas the Apostle (†c.72), called Didymus, or “the Twin,” is remembered for initially doubting Christ’s Resurrection and then proclaiming, “My Lord and my God.” Ancient tradition holds that he preached in Syria, Persia, and India, establishing the Christian community of the Malabar Coast before suffering martyrdom near present-day Chennai. Patron of India, architects, and builders, his feast day is July 3.