Relic of Saint Simon the Apostle in pure sterling silver reliquary

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 Simon the Apostle, traditionally known as Saint Simon the Zealot, was one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ.

Although the Gospels preserve few details of his individual life, ancient Christian tradition associates his apostolic mission with regions of the Near East and Persia.

He is frequently linked in Christian tradition with Saint Jude Thaddeus, with whom he is believed to have preached the Gospel and ultimately suffered martyrdom. The two Apostles have consequently been commemorated together for many centuries in both Eastern and Western Christianity.

An important tradition of veneration of Saint Simon’s relics is preserved in Rome at Saint Peter’s Basilica.

This important relic is preserved in an elegant solid sterling silver oval theca, containing a substantial sacred fragment identified as belonging to Saint Simon the 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.