Relic of Saint James the Less, Apostle in pure sterling silver reliquary

Relic of Saint James the Less, Apostle in Pure Sterling Silver Reliquary

+ Roman Ecclesiastical Authentica, Dated 1911

The reliquary is accompanied by its original Roman ecclesiastical Authentica, dated 4 April 1911, issued under the authority of Cardinal Pietro Respighi (1843–1913),Cardinal-Priest of Santi Quattro Coronati and Vicar General of Rome, one of the highest ecclesiastical offices in the Diocese of Rome.

Cardinal Respighi had been created Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1899 and served as Cardinal Vicar of Rome from 1900 until his death in 1913.

Dimensions of the theca: 3 × 2.5 cm.

Saint James the Less, Apostle

Saint James the Less, also known as Saint James the Minor, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and is traditionally identified with James, son of Alphaeus.

He has been venerated from the earliest centuries of Christianity and is traditionally associated with the Church of Jerusalem. In Western Christian tradition, he is also associated with the Epistle of James.

According to ancient Christian tradition, Saint James suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith. His relics have long been venerated in Rome at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles (Santi XII Apostoli).

The Reliquary

This important relic is preserved in an elegant solid sterling silver oval theca, containing a substantial sacred fragment identified as belonging to Saint James the Less, Apostle, mounted beneath glass and accompanied by its original identification label.

All original threads and ecclesiastical seals remain intact. The relic is accompanied by its original Authentica, dated 1911, preserving the integrity and documented ecclesiastical provenance of this exceptional ensemble.