Giltwood Reliquary of the Maccabean Martyrs | 1882

Giltwood Reliquary of the Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs, Their Mother Saint Solomonia,and Saint Eleazar the Elder

with Original Ecclesiastical Authentica, Dated 1882

This magnificent nineteenth-century ecclesiastical reliquary is richly carved in gilded wood with elaborate Baroque-style scrollwork and floral ornamentation.
The relics are individually mounted against a sumptuous crimson velvet background, retaining their historic handwritten identification labels and original securing threads.

The reliquary is accompanied by its original ecclesiastical Authentica, dated 19 February 1882, issued in Mechelen, Belgium, under the authority of the Primate of Belgium and Cardinal-Priest of San Bernardo alle Terme in Rome.

Dimensions: Height 50 cm × Width 24 cm × Depth 7 cm.

The Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs

The Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs — Saint Abim, Saint Antoninus, Saint Gurias, Saint Eleazar, Saint Eusebonus, Saint Alimus, and Saint Marcellus — are among the most celebrated witnesses to religious faithfulness and heroic martyrdom in biblical history.

Their extraordinary story is recorded in the Second Book of Maccabees and dates to the persecution of the Jewish people under King Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the second century BC.

Refusing to abandon their ancestral faith or violate the commandments of God, the seven brothers endured terrible torture and death rather than submit to religious persecution. Their steadfast courage, profound devotion, and unwavering fidelity to divine law established them as enduring examples of spiritual fortitude and sacrifice.

The Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs are especially revered in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, where their martyrdom is commemorated together with that of their mother and their venerable teacher.

Saint Solomonia — Mother of the Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs

Saint Solomonia, the courageous mother of the seven brothers, occupies a remarkable place in biblical and Christian history.

According to the Second Book of Maccabees, she witnessed the martyrdom of her sons and encouraged each of them to remain faithful to God, even when confronted with the most terrible suffering.

Her extraordinary spiritual strength was rooted in her profound belief in divine justice and the resurrection of the dead. Rather than persuade her children to save their lives by abandoning their faith, she inspired them to accept martyrdom with courage and dignity.

Saint Solomonia has consequently been revered for centuries as an outstanding example of maternal devotion, religious steadfastness, and unwavering trust in God.

Saint Eleazar the Elder — Teacher of the Holy Maccabean Martyrs

Saint Eleazar the Elder, the venerable teacher traditionally associated with the Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs, was a distinguished Jewish scribe and religious elder whose martyrdom is recounted in the sixth chapter of the Second Book of Maccabees.

Traditionally described as ninety years old, Saint Eleazar was commanded to violate the Jewish dietary laws during the persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

Refusing not only to eat forbidden meat but even to pretend to comply, he chose death rather than compromise his religious convictions or provide a misleading example to younger generations.

His courageous sacrifice became one of the most celebrated testimonies to fidelity, moral integrity, and religious conviction in biblical history.

Saint Eleazar the Elder is commemorated alongside the Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs and Saint Solomonia in the Christian liturgical tradition, particularly within the Eastern Orthodox Church.

The Reliquary and Its Original Ecclesiastical Authentication

The reliquary is an exceptional example of nineteenth-century European ecclesiastical craftsmanship, distinguished by its impressive architectural proportions, richly carved gilded surfaces, and elaborate decorative composition.

Its magnificent ornamental crest is adorned with scrolling foliage and floral motifs, while the circular glazed compartment is surrounded by a substantial gilded frame. The entire composition rises from an elegant architectural pedestal, creating the appearance of a miniature sacred monument.

Within the glazed compartment, nine substantial sacred bone relics are arranged symmetrically against deep crimson velvet. Each relic rests upon an individual decorative support, secured with its original threads and accompanied by its historic handwritten identification label.

The reverse retains its original crossed securing ribbons and five intact red ecclesiastical wax seals, preserving the historic ecclesiastical sealing arrangement.

The accompanying original Authentica of 19 February 1882, issued under the authority of Cardinal Victor-Auguste-Isidore Dechamps, further enhances the historical and documentary significance of this remarkable devotional ensemble.

All original securing threads and ecclesiastical wax seals remain intact. The original ecclesiastical Authentica accompanies the reliquary.

A Remarkable Nineteenth-Century Devotional Ensemble

An exceptionally impressive and historically significant devotional ensemble, combining monumental giltwood craftsmanship, substantial sacred bone relics, and original nineteenth-century ecclesiastical documentation, associated with the Seven Holy Maccabean Martyrs, their courageous mother Saint Solomonia, and their venerable teacher Saint Eleazar the Elder.

------ Ask for authenticity documents in private messages at info@saintsrelics.com ------