1993 Vatican Documented Theca with Relics of 2 Early Popes: St. Eusebius & St. Miltiades (Melchiades)
Round glass-fronted yellow-metal reliquary theca with a scalloped openwork border housing first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relics of two early Popes: of Saint Pope Eusebius and Saint Pope Miltiades. The relics are affixed to small white flower-shaped mounts against a deep-red silk ground and identified in Latin on typeset cedulae labels as S. Eusebii P. C. and S. Melchiadis I P. C. (Saint Eusebius, Pope and Confessor, and Saint Melchiades, Pope and Confessor). On the back, under the protective cap, the theca is secured by a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Vicar General of Rome (1991–2008). The reliquary is accompanied by a matching authentics document issued through the Vicariate of Rome on October 20, 1993, bearing the signature of Bishop Giuseppe Mani, Auxiliary Bishop of Rome, and registration number 486.
Saint Pope Eusebius (†310) governed the Roman Church briefly during the disputes that followed Diocletian’s persecution. He upheld the reconciliation of Christians who had abandoned their faith, provided they first undertook appropriate penance. Conflict within the Roman community prompted Emperor Maxentius to exile him to Sicily, where he died. His remains were subsequently returned to Rome and buried in the Catacombs of Saint Callistus. His veneration predates formal canonization procedures, and his feast day is August 17.
Saint Pope Miltiades (Melchiades) (†314) was a native of Africa who served as Pope from 311 to 314. His pontificate witnessed Christianity’s transition from persecution to imperial toleration and the restoration of confiscated Church property. He presided over the Roman synod of 313, which examined the Donatist controversy and upheld Caecilian’s position as Bishop of Carthage. Buried in the Catacombs of Saint Callistus, he was venerated from antiquity, before formal canonization procedures. His feast day is January 10.
