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In stockReliquary Containing Relics of Saints Agapitus I, Theophanes Graptus, and Theodore Graptus
Italy, 1889
Gilded bronze reliquary with episcopal authentication document
An exquisite 19th-century gilded bronze reliquary in the form of a miniature Gothic chapel, glazed on all sides, containing three significant first-class relics (ex ossibus) of early and Byzantine Christian saints:
St. Agapitus I, Pope of Rome (†536) — Pope Agapitus I served as the Bishop of Rome from 535 to 536. Renowned for his efforts to restore orthodoxy and unity within the Church during the turbulent years of the early Byzantine Papacy, he traveled personally to Constantinople to negotiate peace between the Ostrogothic Kingdom and Emperor Justinian I. While in the imperial capital, he consecrated the Patriarch Menas and died shortly thereafter. Feast day: April 22.
St. Theophanes the Inscribed (Theophanes Graptus, †845) — A monk and hymnographer of Palestine, Theophanes suffered persecution under Emperor Theophilus for defending the veneration of holy icons. Along with his brother Theodore, he was tortured and had verses burned into his face — hence the epithet “the Inscribed.” Both brothers are venerated as martyrs and confessors of Orthodoxy. Feast day: October 11 (Eastern tradition).
St. Theodore the Inscribed (Theodorus Graptus, †841) — Brother of St. Theophanes and fellow defender of the holy icons during the second period of Byzantine Iconoclasm. He was abbot of the Monastery of St. Sabas in Palestine and is honored as a confessor of the faith for his endurance under torture and exile. Feast day: December 27 (Eastern tradition).
Each relic is individually identified by original 19th-century paper labels reading:
- S. Agapiti Pp. (Saint Agapitus, Pope)
- S. Theodori Gr. Mon. (Saint Theodore the Inscribed, Monk)
- S. Theophanis Gr. Pp. (Saint Theophanes the Inscribed, Priest)
The relics are arranged over red velvet and secured by golden threads within the reliquary, which features rich Gothic ornamentation and a cross finial. The piece retains its original episcopal wax seal on the back.
Accompanying the reliquary is its original episcopal authentica — a signed and sealed Latin document issued by Franciscus Sabbia, Bishop of Cremona (Sanctæ Cremensis Ecclesiæ Episcopus), dated January 25, 1889, confirming the authenticity and proper sealing of the relics.
Dimensions:- Height: 24 cm
- Length: 15 cm
- Width: 9 cm
Gilded bronze, glass, bone relics, red velvet, gilt thread, episcopal wax seal.
Provenance:Diocese of Cremona, Italy. Authenticated and sealed in 1889.
------ Ask for authenticity documents in private messages at info@saintsrelics.com ------
