Giltwood Reliquary of the Seven Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women

Giltwood Reliquary of the Seven Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women

with Original Ecclesiastical Authentica, Dated 1882

This magnificent nineteenth-century ecclesiastical reliquary is richly carved in gilded wood with elaborate Baroque-style scrollwork, sculpted female profiles, and floral ornamentation.
It is dedicated to the Seven Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women: Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Mary of Clopas, Saint Salome, Saint Joanna, Saint Susanna, Saint Martha, and Saint Mary of Bethany.

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 Myrrh-Bearing Women

The Seven Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women occupy an especially revered place in Christian history as devoted followers of Jesus Christ, witnesses to His Passion, and heralds of His Resurrection.

According to the Gospel accounts and subsequent Christian tradition, these courageous women remained faithful to Christ during His suffering and death. At dawn following the Sabbath, they came to His tomb carrying aromatic spices and ointments, intending to honour His body according to the burial customs of their time.

Instead, they encountered the empty tomb and received the extraordinary announcement of His Resurrection. Their devotion, courage, and steadfast faith established them as some of the earliest witnesses and proclaimers of Christianity's central mystery.

Saint Mary Magdalene

Saint Mary Magdalene is among the most celebrated women of the New Testament and one of the foremost witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Having followed Christ during His earthly ministry, she remained near Him during the Crucifixion and subsequently visited His tomb. According to the Gospel of Saint John, the risen Christ appeared to her and entrusted her with the announcement of His Resurrection to the Apostles.

For this extraordinary privilege, Saint Mary Magdalene has traditionally been honoured with the title Apostle to the Apostles.

Saint Mary of Clopas

Saint Mary of Clopas was among the faithful women who stood near the Cross of Jesus Christ during His Crucifixion.

Mentioned in the Gospel of Saint John, she is traditionally associated with the women who accompanied Christ during His Passion and remained devoted to Him in the darkest hours of His earthly life.

Her presence at Calvary made her an enduring example of fidelity, compassion, and unwavering Christian devotion.

Saint Salome

Saint Salome, traditionally identified as the mother of the Apostles Saint James the Greater and Saint John the Evangelist, was one of the devoted women who followed Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Saint Mark names her among the women who witnessed the Crucifixion and later brought spices to anoint the body of Christ.

Her association with the empty tomb and the proclamation of the Resurrection established her as one of the most honoured figures among the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women.

Saint Joanna

Saint Joanna, wife of Chuza, a steward in the household of Herod Antipas, was one of the women who supported Jesus Christ and His disciples during His ministry.

The Gospel of Saint Luke identifies her among the women who provided for Christ from their own resources and later visited His tomb.

Saint Joanna was consequently among those who brought the news of the empty tomb and the Resurrection to the Apostles, making her an important witness to the earliest proclamation of the Christian faith.

Saint Susanna

Saint Susanna is mentioned in the Gospel of Saint Luke among the women who accompanied Jesus Christ and supported His ministry.

Although the surviving biblical accounts provide relatively few biographical details, her inclusion among Christ's faithful female followers demonstrates her important place within the earliest Christian community.

She is honoured in the wider tradition of the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women as a model of generosity, discipleship, and devotion.

Saint Martha of Bethany

Saint Martha, sister of Saint Mary of Bethany and Saint Lazarus, was a devoted friend and follower of Jesus Christ.

The Gospels describe her welcoming Christ into her home at Bethany and record her remarkable confession of faith before the raising of her brother Saint Lazarus.

Saint Martha's words of belief in Christ as the Messiah and Son of God remain among the most profound professions of faith in the New Testament.

She has been revered throughout Christian history as a symbol of hospitality, active service, and steadfast devotion.

Saint Mary of Bethany

Saint Mary of Bethany, sister of Saint Martha and Saint Lazarus, is remembered for her profound spiritual devotion to Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Saint Luke describes her sitting at the feet of Christ, listening attentively to His teaching, while the Gospel of Saint John recounts her anointing His feet with precious perfume.

Her act of reverence was understood by Christ in connection with His approaching burial, establishing her as a particularly significant figure in the traditions surrounding His Passion.

Saint Mary of Bethany has consequently been honoured as an example of contemplation, humility, and extraordinary love for Christ.

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 flanked by two finely sculpted female profiles facing outward. The entire composition rises from an elegant architectural pedestal, creating the appearance of a miniature sacred monument.

Within the glazed compartment, seven 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 is dated 19 February 1882.

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, sacred relics, and original nineteenth-century ecclesiastical documentation, associated with the Seven Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, among the most devoted followers and earliest witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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