Reliquary of Saint Maximus the Confessor

Reliquary of Saint Maximus the Confessor

+ Authenticated by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (2010)

Ex Ossibus

An Extraordinary Reliquary Containing a Large Vertebral Relic of One of Christianity’s Greatest Theologians

Authenticated by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (2010)

An exceptionally rare and visually impressive reliquary containing a remarkably large first-class relic (ex ossibus) of Saint Maximus the Confessor, one of the most influential theologians, mystics, and defenders of Orthodox Christology in the history of Christianity.

At the center of a magnificent gilt sunburst reliquary crowned by a cross is preserved an extraordinary vertebral bone relic identified as:

“S. Maximi Confessoris”
(Saint Maximus the Confessor)

Unlike the small relic fragments commonly encountered in ecclesiastical collections, this relic consists of an unusually substantial and anatomically recognizable vertebra, making it a particularly significant devotional and historical artifact.

The relic is enclosed within an imposing gilt reliquary of radiant form, symbolizing the heavenly glory bestowed upon the saints and emphasizing the enduring spiritual legacy of one of the Church’s greatest confessors.

Dimensions

• Reliquary: 47 cm high × 20 cm wide

Accompanied by its original sealed authentication document issued by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and signed under the authority of Patriarch Fouad Twal on 17 January 2010.

Saint Maximus the Confessor (c. 580–662)

Saint Maximus the Confessor stands among the most revered Fathers of the Church and is regarded as one of the greatest Christian theologians of the first millennium.

Born into a noble family in Constantinople, Maximus received an exceptional education and initially served at the imperial court. Despite the prestige and influence available to him, he abandoned worldly honors to embrace the monastic life, dedicating himself entirely to prayer, study, and the pursuit of holiness.

His greatest contribution came during the Christological controversies of the seventh century.

At a time when political and ecclesiastical authorities sought compromise through the doctrine known as Monothelitism—the teaching that Christ possessed only one will—Maximus emerged as the most powerful defender of orthodox doctrine.

Drawing upon Scripture, the Fathers, and profound theological insight, he defended the Church’s teaching that Christ possesses both a divine will and a human will united perfectly in one divine Person.

For Maximus, this doctrine was not merely an intellectual question. He believed that the salvation of humanity depended upon the full reality of Christ’s human nature. His writings profoundly shaped both Eastern and Western Christian theology and remain foundational texts to this day.

His Suffering and Confession of Faith

Because of his unwavering defense of orthodoxy, Saint Maximus became a target of imperial persecution.

He was arrested, interrogated, exiled, and repeatedly pressured to renounce his beliefs.

When persuasion failed, he suffered brutal punishment. According to ancient accounts, his persecutors cut out his tongue and mutilated his right hand in an attempt to silence both his preaching and his writings.

Despite these sufferings, Maximus remained steadfast in his confession of faith.

For this reason the Church honors him not as a martyr, but as a Confessor—one who endured persecution, torture, and suffering for Christ without being put to death directly by execution.

He died in exile in 662 and was soon venerated throughout the Christian world as a saint, theologian, and heroic witness to the truth.

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