Reliquary theca with relic of St. Zenon, Martyr of Nicomedia
Oval glass-fronted brass reliquary theca housing first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relic of Saint Zenon. The relic is affixed to a red silk ground surrounded by silver wire and gilt paperolle ornamentation and identified in Latin on a manuscript cedula label as S. Zenonis (Saint Zenon). On the back, under the protective cap, the theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of Fr. Antonio Cantoni (†1781), Bishop of Faenza, Italy (1742–1767) and Archbishop of Ravenna, Italy (1767–1781).
St. Zenon (also known as Zeno or Zinon), Martyr of Nicomedia (†303), was a Roman soldier and commander stationed in Nicomedia (modern-day Turkey) during the early 4th century. A fervent Christian, he openly professed his faith amid Emperor Diocletian's severe persecutions of Christians. During a public pagan sacrifice Zenon boldly ridiculed the emperor's idolatry, denouncing it and proclaiming Christ. Arrested for his defiance, he endured torture before being beheaded. His courageous witness earned him martyrdom and veneration in the Church, with feast days on December 22 or September 2 in various traditions.
