Large Relic from the Rib of Saint James the Greater, Apostle (ex costa).

LARGE RELIC FROM THE RIB OF SAINT JAMES THE GREATER, APOSTLE — EX COSTA

WITH ORIGINAL EPISCOPAL AUTHENTICA

Relic from the Rib of the Apostle — Original Episcopal Authentica of Luigi Fantozzi, Bishop of Veroli

An exceptionally important ecclesiastical reliquary containing a large first-class relic of Saint James the Greater (Saint James the Elder), Apostle and Martyr, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.

The substantial bone fragment is preserved beneath glass within a circular metal theca measuring approximately 3 cm in diameter and 1 cm in thickness. The historic cedula identifies the relic as belonging to S. Jacobi.

Of particular significance, the accompanying original ecclesiastical Authentica explicitly identifies the relic as a fragment taken from the rib of Saint James the Greater (ex costa), making the anatomical origin of the relic unusually well documented.

Saint James the Greater

Saint James, son of Zebedee and brother of Saint John the Evangelist, belonged to the innermost circle of Christ's Apostles. Together with Peter and John, he witnessed the Transfiguration of Christ and was present during the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

According to the Acts of the Apostles, James was executed by order of King Herod Agrippa I around AD 44, becoming the first of the Twelve Apostles whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament.

Ancient Christian tradition associates his relics with Santiago de Compostela, which became one of the greatest pilgrimage destinations of medieval Christendom.

Original Episcopal Authentica

The document bears his episcopal arms, official ecclesiastical seal and diocesan signatures. The original wax seal preserved upon the reliquary corresponds to the episcopal authentication of the document, forming an important historical connection between the relic and its Authentica.

Catalogue Details

Saint: Saint James the Greater, Apostle and Martyr

Relic: First-class relic — fragment of the rib (ex costa)

Reliquary: Circular ecclesiastical theca

Dimensions: approx. 4 cm diameter × 1 cm thickness

Authentication: Original episcopal Authentica and ecclesiastical seal

Ecclesiastical authority: Bishop of Veroli, later Titular Archbishop of Dara

Special significance: A substantial and anatomically identified relic from the rib of one of the Twelve Apostles, preserved together with its original episcopal documentation.

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