Relic of Saint Peter the Apostle in Pure Sterling Silver Reliquary

The reliquary is accompanied by its original Roman ecclesiastical Authentica, dated 4 February 1905, issued under the authority of Cardinal Pietro Respighi (1843–1913), Cardinal-Priest of Santi Quattro Coronati and Vicar General of Rome.

Cardinal Respighi was created Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1899 and served as Cardinal Vicar of Rome from 1900 until his death in 1913, exercising one of the highest ecclesiastical offices in the Diocese of Rome.

Dimensions of the theca: 3 × 2.5 cm.

Saint Peter the Apostle, originally named Simon, was one of the Twelve Apostles and one of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ. A fisherman from Galilee and brother of Saint Andrew the Apostle, he was called by Christ and given the name Peter — the “Rock.”

He occupies a central place throughout the Gospels, witnessing the Transfiguration and making the celebrated confession of Christ as the Messiah.

After the Resurrection, Saint Peter became one of the principal leaders of the earliest Christian community and a central figure in the apostolic Church. Ancient Christian tradition records his ministry in Rome and his martyrdom there during the persecution of Emperor Nero, traditionally by crucifixion.

His tomb beneath Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome became one of Christianity’s most important places of pilgrimage and remains closely associated with the apostolic heritage of the Church.

This exceptional relic is preserved in an elegant solid sterling silver oval theca, containing a large and substantial sacred fragment identified as belonging to Saint Peter the Apostle, arranged beneath glass upon an ornate gilt and red textile ground and accompanied by its original identification label.

All original threads and ecclesiastical seals remain intact. The relic is accompanied by its original Roman Authentica, dated 4 February 1905, preserving the integrity and documented ecclesiastical provenance of this important ensemble.