Reliquary theca with relic of Saint Thomas the Apostle, Patron of architects, builders & blind people

An oval crystal-fronted silver pendant reliquary theca housing a precious first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Thomas the Apostle. The relic is displayed on the ground of gold silk and identified in Latin on an ornate manuscript cedula label as S. Thomae / Apostoli (Saint Thomas, Apostle). On the back, the reliquary is secured by a perfectly preserved seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint with a coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Milan. 

Saint Thomas the Apostle, also called Didymus (“Twin”), was one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles, famously known as “Doubting Thomas” for refusing to believe in the Resurrection until he saw and touched the wounds of the Risen Christ. After Pentecost, tradition holds he preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where he founded the Christian community that still exists today. He was martyred around 72 near Chennai, India, by spearing. He is the patron saint of architects, builders, blind people, and India. His feast day is commemorated on July 3.