Еxceptional Reliquary of Saints Celsus and Nazarius With Very Large First-Class Relics

Exceptional Reliquary of Saints Celsus and Nazarius With Very Large First-Class Relics

Authenticated in 1884

A magnificent nineteenth-century reliquary preserving exceptionally large first-class relics of Saint Celsus and Saint Nazarius, two of the most venerated martyrs of the early Christian Church and among the saints held in deepest reverence by Saint Ambrose of Milan.

The relics are housed within an elegant reliquary featuring a finely embossed silver front mounted on a carved wooden structure. Richly ornamented in the Rococo style with intricate decorative work and preserved in outstanding original condition, the reliquary possesses an impressive visual presence while reflecting the finest traditions of nineteenth-century ecclesiastical craftsmanship.

What distinguishes this reliquary is the extraordinary size of the relics themselves. Both relics consist of exceptionally large bone fragments—far exceeding the dimensions normally encountered in private or even institutional collections. Such impressive relics are exceedingly uncommon on today's market and represent an important survival of nineteenth-century Catholic devotional heritage.

Saints Celsus and Nazarius

Saint Nazarius was an early Christian missionary who preached the Gospel throughout northern Italy during the first century. According to ancient tradition, he was baptized by Saint Linus, the successor of Saint Peter, and devoted his life to spreading Christianity despite repeated persecution. He ultimately suffered martyrdom near Milan together with his young companion, Saint Celsus.

Saint Celsus, though still very young, remained steadfast in the Christian faith and willingly accepted martyrdom alongside Saint Nazarius. Their courage and unwavering witness made them enduring symbols of fidelity to Christ.

Their relics achieved exceptional prominence after they were solemnly discovered by Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, in the fourth century. Saint Ambrose regarded this discovery as one of the greatest spiritual events of his episcopate and personally transferred the relics with great solemnity to the newly constructed Basilica of the Apostles in Milan, today known as the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus. Their cult rapidly spread throughout both the Western and Eastern Churches, and they have remained among the most beloved martyrs of Milan ever since.

Ecclesiastical Authentication

The relics are accompanied by their original sealed Authentic dated 1884, issued and personally signed by Bishop Henricus Josephus Alexius Petrus van Ewyk, O.P. (1827–1904).

A Dutch Dominican missionary and Apostolic Vicar of Curaçao, Bishop van Ewyk was entrusted by the Holy See with the pastoral care of the Catholic Church in the Dutch Caribbean. During his episcopate he authenticated numerous relics intended for churches and religious communities, following the canonical procedures required by the Catholic Church. His official documents bearing his episcopal seal are respected ecclesiastical testimonies to the authenticity and lawful veneration of sacred relics.

The reliquary retains its original seals and the original episcopal authentication document.

Dimensions

• Height: 56 cm
• Width: 21 × 15 cm

Summary

A remarkably important devotional object combining exceptional artistic quality, documented ecclesiastical provenance, and extraordinarily large relics of two of the most celebrated martyrs of the Church of Milan.

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