1807 Documented Silver Theca with Relics of 2 Apostles: St. Philip & St. James the Less

Small oval glass-fronted silver reliquary theca housing first-class ex ossibus (“from the bones”) relics of two Apostles: Saint Philip and Saint James the Less. The Holy relics are displayed against pale-rose silk upon lozenge-shaped paper mounts, ornamented with crossed gold ribbon and silver cannetille. They are identified in Latin on manuscript cedulae labels as “S. Philippi Ap.” and “S. Jacobi Minoris Ap.” (Saint Philip the Apostle // Saint James the Less, Apostle). On the back, under the protective cap, the theca is secured with intact red silk cords and a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of the coat of arms of Bishop Giuseppe Bernardino Pecci, O.S.B. (†1809), the Bishop of Montalcino (1774–1809). The theca is accompanied by the matching authentics document issued on May 22, 1807, by Bishop Pecci. The document expressly identifies the relics as “ex Ossibus SS. Apostolorum Philippi, et Jacobi Minoris” (“from the bones of the Holy Apostles Philip and James the Less”) and bears the bishop’s printed coat of arms.

Saint Philip the Apostle (†c.80) was born at Bethsaida and was among the first disciples called by Christ. In the Gospel of John, he brought Nathanael to Jesus, assisted at the multiplication of the loaves, and introduced a group of Greeks seeking Christ. Tradition holds that he preached in Asia Minor and suffered martyrdom at Hierapolis. His feast day, shared with Saint James the Less, is May 3.

Saint James the Less (†62), the son of Alphaeus, was one of the Twelve Apostles. Traditionally associated with James the Just, he became an influential leader of the Church in Jerusalem and participated in the Apostolic Council described in the Acts of the Apostles. The New Testament Epistle of James is traditionally attributed to him. He suffered martyrdom in Jerusalem and shares his feast with Saint Philip on May 3.