Exquisite Reliquary with the Relics of Saint Peter Chrysologus

Exquisite Reliquary with the Relics of Saint Peter Chrysologus

Bishop and Doctor of the Church With Original Episcopal Authentication Document, 1889

This refined and deeply devotional 19th-century reliquary preserves an authentic relic of Saint Peter Chrysologus, one of the greatest Latin Fathers of the Church. Compact in size yet immense in spiritual and historical significance, this sacred object represents a rare convergence of theology, craftsmanship, and documented ecclesiastical authority.

The Saint

Saint Peter Chrysologus (c. 380–450), Archbishop of Ravenna, is revered as a Doctor of the Church for the extraordinary clarity and spiritual depth of his preaching. His epithet “Chrysologus”—“Golden-Worded”—was bestowed due to the brilliance, brevity, and doctrinal precision of his homilies. A defender of orthodox Christology during a time of doctrinal conflict, he played a vital role in safeguarding the teachings of the Church and guiding the faithful through pastoral wisdom rather than polemic severity. His sermons remain a cornerstone of Western Christian theology and spirituality.

The Reliquary

• Type: Altar / devotional reliquary (pendant-style)
• Material: Handcrafted metal frame with glazed crystal window
• Dimensions: 4 × 3 cm
• Interior: A clearly visible relic of Saint Peter Chrysologus, mounted on traditional textile backing and identified by an original handwritten cedula
• Seal: Intact red wax episcopal seal, confirming canonical authenticity and untouched condition

The reverse is ornamented with devotional iconography, while the overall workmanship reflects the restrained elegance typical of late 19th-century ecclesiastical metalwork.

The Authentication Document (1889)

Accompanying the reliquary is its original Latin authentication document, issued in 1889 by Nicolaus Chilardi, Archbishop of Lucca and Apostolic Prelate. Acting under papal authority, Archbishop Chilardi formally certified the relic as genuine, extracted from an approved source, and sealed according to the strict canonical norms of the Roman Catholic Church.

The document:

• Bears the original episcopal signature
• Includes the official embossed seal
• Explicitly authorizes public veneration
• Confirms the relic was placed in a properly sealed reliquary

Such documentation is indispensable and increasingly rare, elevating this piece from devotional object to museum-grade ecclesiastical artifact.

Summary

This reliquary is not merely a sacred object, but a tangible link to one of Christianity’s great teachers, preserved with impeccable provenance. Ideal for:

• Serious collectors of authenticated relics
• Ecclesiastical or museum collections
• Private chapels and devotional settings

A rare and compelling testament to faith, theology, and the enduring authority of the Church.

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