Relic of Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist in pure sterling silver reliquary

The reliquary is accompanied by its original Roman ecclesiastical Authentica, dated 7 March 1908, 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 John the Apostle and Evangelist, one of the Twelve Apostles and traditionally identified as the Beloved Disciple, was among the closest followers of Jesus Christ.

Together with Saint Peter and Saint James, he belonged to the innermost circle of the Apostles and witnessed the Transfiguration.

According to the Gospel of John, he remained at the foot of the Cross, where Christ entrusted the Virgin Mary to his care.

Christian tradition recognizes him as the author of the Gospel of John and the three Epistles of John, while the Book of Revelation has traditionally also been associated with him.

He later became closely associated with Ephesus, where ancient Christian tradition places his final years and tomb. His traditional symbol in Christian art is the eagle.

This important relic is preserved in an elegant solid sterling silver oval theca, containing a substantial sacred fragment identified as belonging to Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist, 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 1908, preserving the integrity and documented ecclesiastical provenance of this exceptional ensemble.