1993 Vatican Documented Theca with Relics of 2 Martyr Popes: St. Eutychian & St. Caius
Round glass-fronted yellow-metal reliquary theca with a scalloped openwork border housing first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relics of two early Martyr Popes: of Saint Pope Eutychian and Saint Pope Caius. 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. Eutych. P. M. and S. Caii I. P. M. (Saint Pope Eutychian, Martyr, and Saint Pope Caius I, Martyr). 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 846.
Saint Pope Eutychian (†283) succeeded Saint Pope Felix I and governed the Church of Rome from 275 to 283. Relatively little reliable information survives about his pontificate. He was buried in the Crypt of the Popes in the Catacombs of Saint Callistus, where fragments of his Greek epitaph were recovered. Although later tradition honored him as a martyr, the earliest records list him among the bishops rather than the martyrs. His veneration predates formal beatification and canonization procedures. His feast day is December 8.
Saint Pope Caius (†296), also known as Gaius, succeeded Saint Pope Eutychian and governed the Church of Rome from 283 to 296. His pontificate fell largely within a period of relative peace before the great persecution under Emperor Diocletian. He was buried in the Catacombs of Saint Callistus. Although traditionally described as a martyr, his martyrdom is not historically established. His recognition as a saint arose through ancient Christian veneration rather than formal beatification or canonization. His feast day is April 22.
