{"product_id":"reliquary-containing-a-rare-relic-of-saint-matrona-of-thessalonica-virgin-and-martyr-ex-digito-phalanx-of-the-finger","title":"Reliquary Containing a Rare Relic of Saint Matrona of Thessalonica Virgin and Martyr (ex Digito  phalanx of the finger)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eReliquary with Relic of Saint Matrona of Thessalonica\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eVirgin and Martyr\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(ex Digito – phalanx of the finger)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA rare and historically significant 19th-century reliquary in \u003cstrong\u003esterling silver\u003c\/strong\u003e containing a sacred relic of \u003cstrong\u003eSaint Matrona of Thessalonica\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the early Christian martyrs of the ancient Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe relic consists of a bone fragment identified as ex digito (phalanx of the finger) and is preserved within an elegant oval sterling silver reliquary decorated with delicate floral ornamentation. The relic rests upon a rich red silk ground and is secured with traditional red threads and an original handwritten Latin label reading \u003cstrong\u003e“Matronae Thessal.”\u003c\/strong\u003e, clearly identifying the relic as belonging to Saint Matrona of Thessalonica.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe reliquary remains sealed with the original silk threads and ecclesiastical wax seal, confirming that it has remained intact since its official authentication.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccompanying the reliquary is the original Latin authentica document dated \u003cstrong\u003e1846\u003c\/strong\u003e, formally certifying the relic’s authenticity and authorizing its preservation and veneration.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions of the reliquary:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 4.5 cm × 4 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Sterling silver reliquary with glass cover and silk interior.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaint Matrona of Thessalonica\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e(3rd–4th century)\u003cbr\u003e Virgin, Martyr, and Witness of Early Christian Faith\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSaint Matrona of Thessalonica is venerated as one of the courageous Christian martyrs who bore witness to their faith during the persecutions of the early Church under the Roman Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe lived in the important port city of \u003cstrong\u003eThessalonica\u003c\/strong\u003e (modern Thessaloniki, Greece), one of the major centers of early Christianity in the eastern Mediterranean.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to early Christian tradition, Matrona was a young Christian servant in the household of a Jewish noblewoman named \u003cstrong\u003ePautilla\u003c\/strong\u003e. Despite living under a mistress who opposed Christianity, Matrona secretly remained faithful to Christ.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe would discreetly attend Christian worship services, strengthening her faith through prayer and participation in the life of the early Christian community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen her mistress discovered that Matrona was attending Christian gatherings and refusing to adopt Jewish religious practices, she became enraged. Matrona was subjected to repeated beatings, imprisonment, and severe physical punishment in an attempt to force her to abandon the Christian faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the suffering inflicted upon her, the young saint remained unwavering in her devotion to Christ.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter enduring extreme abuse and torture, Matrona ultimately died from her injuries, thus becoming a martyr for the Christian faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to ancient accounts preserved in the Church of Thessalonica, her body was later recovered by local Christians and buried with reverence. A church was eventually built over her tomb, and her cult spread throughout the Byzantine world.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSaint Matrona became a powerful symbol of steadfast faith, courage, and spiritual endurance, especially among Christian women who saw in her life an example of fidelity to Christ despite persecution.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeast Day:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 27\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCardinal Stephanus Missir\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eArchbishop of Irenopolis\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe relic is accompanied by an official ecclesiastical authentication issued under the authority of \u003cstrong\u003eCardinal Stephanus Missir\u003c\/strong\u003e, Archbishop of Irenopolis.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eArchbishop Missir served within the Roman Curia during the pontificate of \u003cstrong\u003ePope Gregory XVI (1831–1846)\u003c\/strong\u003e and held the title of Archbishop of Irenopolis in partibus infidelium, a titular archiepiscopal see traditionally granted to bishops serving in important diplomatic or administrative roles within the Holy See.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn his capacity as archbishop and ecclesiastical authority, he was entrusted with responsibilities including the verification, authentication, and distribution of sacred relics according to the strict canonical norms of the Catholic Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying authentica dated \u003cstrong\u003e1846\u003c\/strong\u003e confirms that this relic was:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003etaken from authentic and recognized sources (ex authenticis locis extracta)\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ecarefully examined and officially recognized as genuine\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eplaced within a reliquary according to ecclesiastical regulations\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003esealed with silk threads and a red wax seal bearing the official stamp\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eauthorized for public veneration in churches, chapels, or private devotion\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDocuments of this nature were issued only after careful investigation and verification by Church authorities.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e  Devotional and Historical Significance\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRelics of early Christian martyrs such as Saint Matrona of Thessalonica have been venerated by the faithful for centuries as tangible connections to the heroic witnesses of the early Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey serve not only as devotional objects but also as historical reminders of the courage of those who remained faithful to Christ in times of persecution.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis reliquary represents:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ethe ancient Christian heritage of Thessalonica, one of the earliest centers of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ethe enduring memory of the martyrs of the early Christian era\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ethe 19th-century ecclesiastical tradition of relic authentication\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs both a sacred devotional object and a historical artifact, it reflects the deep and continuous veneration of the saints throughout Christian history.\u003c\/p\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":56802460369268,"sku":"21424","price":1300.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1040\/0330\/5844\/files\/reliquary-containing-a-rare-relic-of-saint-matrona-of-thessalonica-virgin-and-martyr-ex-digito--phalanx-of-the-finger-b74a.jpg?v=1794422940","url":"https:\/\/saintsrelics.com\/products\/reliquary-containing-a-rare-relic-of-saint-matrona-of-thessalonica-virgin-and-martyr-ex-digito-phalanx-of-the-finger","provider":"Saints Relics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}