{"product_id":"altar-stone-with-relics-of-saint-demetrius-of-thessaloniki-great-martyr","title":"Altar Stone with Relics of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, Great Martyr","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAltar Stone with Relics of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, Great Martyr\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eand Original Roman Ecclesiastical Authentica, Dated 1859\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAn impressive marble altar stone containing sacred relics of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the Great Martyr, traditionally intended for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe altar stone measures 35 × 32.5 cm, weighs 5.7 kg, and features the five traditional consecration crosses associated with Catholic altar stones.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWithin the marble is a specially prepared reliquary sepulchre containing sacred relics of Saint Demetrius, enclosed and protected by an ecclesiastical wax seal. This sealed compartment reflects the ancient Christian tradition of placing the relics of martyrs within altars used for the celebration of the Holy Mass.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe altar stone is accompanied by its original Roman ecclesiastical Authentica, dated 1859 (MDCCCLIX), issued under the authority of Cardinal Costantino Patrizi Naro, Vicar General of His Holiness the Pope for the Diocese of Rome.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaint Demetrius of Thessaloniki — The Great Martyr\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSaint Demetrius of Thessaloniki is one of the most celebrated military martyrs of early Christianity and among the most deeply venerated saints of the Eastern Christian tradition.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to ancient Christian tradition, Saint Demetrius lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian and suffered martyrdom in Thessaloniki in the early fourth century for his steadfast profession of the Christian faith.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eHis courage, devotion, and refusal to renounce Christianity established him as a powerful symbol of spiritual victory over persecution.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the centuries, Saint Demetrius became particularly revered as the patron saint and heavenly protector of Thessaloniki, where the magnificent Basilica of Saint Demetrius remains one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Christian world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Eastern Christianity, he is also honoured as Saint Demetrius the Myrrh-Streamer, reflecting the longstanding devotional traditions associated with his tomb and sacred relics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eHis veneration spread widely throughout the Byzantine world, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe, where he continues to be honoured as a defender of the Christian faith and a model of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to Christ.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical and Liturgical Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe placement of sacred relics within Christian altars is a tradition dating back to the earliest centuries of the Church, when the Holy Eucharist was frequently celebrated at or near the tombs of martyrs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis practice expresses the profound spiritual connection between the sacrifice of Christ, the witness of the martyrs, and the celebration of the Eucharist.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five consecration crosses carved into the marble recall the Five Holy Wounds of Christ and reflect the traditional liturgical symbolism of the altar.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis substantial marble altar stone preserves its sealed reliquary compartment containing relics of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, together with its original nineteenth-century Roman ecclesiastical documentation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA remarkable historical and devotional object, combining the sacred traditions of the Catholic altar with the veneration of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, one of Christianity's most celebrated Great Martyrs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObject Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eObject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Marble altar stone with sacred relics\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaint:\u003c\/strong\u003e Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, Great Martyr\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 35 × 32.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.7 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate of Authentica:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1859 (MDCCCLIX)\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDocumentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Roman ecclesiastical Authentica\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRelics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, Great Martyr\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSealed compartment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ecclesiastical wax seal\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiturgical features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Five consecration crosses\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp style=\"color: red;\"\u003e------ Ask for authenticity documents in private messages at \u003ca href=\"mailto:info@saintsrelics.com\"\u003einfo@saintsrelics.com\u003c\/a\u003e ------\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Saints Relics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56802462859636,"sku":"21542","price":1700.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1040\/0330\/5844\/files\/altar-stone-with-relics-of-saint-demetrius-of-thessaloniki-great-martyr-5582.jpg?v=1794422994","url":"https:\/\/saintsrelics.com\/products\/altar-stone-with-relics-of-saint-demetrius-of-thessaloniki-great-martyr","provider":"Saints Relics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}