Reliquary theca with relics of 6 Martyrs: St. Gervasius, St. Justin, St. Valentine of Rome, St. Rufina of Rome, St. Faustus of Milan & St. Donatus of Arezzo.
Large oval glass-fronted brass reliquary theca housing first-class ex ossibus (of the bone) relics of six early Christian Saints: Saint Gervasius, Saint Justin, Saint Valentine of Rome, Saint Rufina of Rome, Saint Faustus of Milan, and Saint Donatus of Arezzo. The relics are affixed to a ground of red-colored silk, surrounded by silver wire and gilt paperolle ornamentation, and identified in Latin on manuscript cedulae labels as S. Geruasii M. / S. Justini M. / S. Valentini M. / S. Rufinae M. / S. Fausti M. / S. Donati M. On the back, under a protective cap, theca is secured with a seal of red Spanish wax bearing an imprint of a coat of arms of an unidentified Roman Catholic Bishop (most likely a Bishop of Arezzo).
Saints Gervasius and Protasius are venerated as Christian martyrs, probably of the 2nd century. They are the patron saints of Milan and of haymakers and are invoked for the discovery of thieves. Their feast day in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church is 19 June, the day marking the translation of their relics. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and in the Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church, their feast takes place on 14 October (O.S.)/24 October (N.S.), the traditional day of their death.
Saint Justin Martyr was an early Christian apologist, who is regarded as the foremost interpreter of the theory of the Logos in the 2nd century. He was martyred, alongside some of his students, and is considered a saint by the Roman Catholic, the Anglican, the Eastern Orthodox, and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Saint Valentine of Rome, was a Christian priest and Martyr who died on the Via Flaminia in the time of the emperor Claudius. After having cured and instructed many persons he was beaten with clubs and beheaded. He is commemorated on February 14 and since the High Middle Ages is associated with a tradition of courtly love.
Saint Rufina of Rome (†c. 257) was a 3rd-century Roman virgin martyr executed alongside her sister, Saint Secunda, during the persecution of Emperor Valerian. After their fiancés renounced Christianity, the sisters refused to abandon their faith and were beheaded on the Via Aurelia. Their feast day is July 10, often celebrated with Saint Secunda.
Saint Faustus of Milan (†190) was an early Christian soldier and martyr. A member of the Roman army stationed in Milan, Italy, he refused to renounce his faith during the persecutions under Emperor Commodus. After enduring many combats and trials for his belief, he obtained martyrdom. Historical details of his passion are limited and somewhat legendary, but he is remembered as a steadfast witness to Christ. His statue stands in the colonnade of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, depicting him in armor holding the palm of martyrdom. His Feast Day is commemorated on August 7.
Saint Donatus of Arezzo (†362) was a Christian bishop and martyr, venerated as the patron saint of Arezzo, Italy. Born in Nicomedia (modern-day Turkey), he was educated in Rome and later fled persecution to Arezzo, where he lived with the monk Hilarinus and was eventually consecrated bishop. According to tradition, Donatus performed miracles, including repairing a broken chalice during Mass and slaying a dragon that poisoned a fountain. During the reign of Emperor Julian the Apostate, he refused to renounce his Christian faith, leading to his arrest and beheading. His relics are preserved in Arezzo's cathedral, and his feast day is commemorated on August 7.
