RELIQUARY OF THE TRUE CROSS from 1865 with document
RELIQUARY OF THE TRUE CROSS from 1865 with document
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This reliquary is an exceptional piece of religious goldsmithing, both for the richness of its contents and the remarkable quality of its craftsmanship. It is a large opening crucifix made of finely gilded bronze, probably produced in a Roman workshop in the mid-19th century. The gilding is deep, even, and retains its original brilliance, indicating a mercury or fire gilding process, reserved for prestigious liturgical objects. The Christ on the cross is of striking finesse: the anatomical details are finely chiseled, the face expressive, the drapery delicately modeled.
When the crucifix is opened, one discovers beneath a glass cabochon adorned with a cross, a relic of the wood of the True Cross (ex ligno S. Crucis D.N.J.C.), surrounded by bodily fragments of saints, arranged according to a precise theological organization. One finds relics of the Holy Family, the apostles, virgin martyrs, Doctors of the Church, and founding saints — a total of 46. A relic from Christ’s manger (ex praesepii D.N.) is also present, emphasizing the link between the Incarnation and the Passion.
The back of the reliquary is sealed with five red wax seals from the period, bearing the coat of arms of Mgr Costantino Patrizi Naro. These seals, held by a silk cord still perfectly taut, ensure the ritual integrity and authenticity of the object. The whole is preserved in its original case, covered in red leather and lined with crimson velvet, carefully cut to the shape of the crucifix. By the quality of its craftsmanship, the finesse of its symbolism, and the care taken in its preservation, this reliquary stands out as an exceptional devotional piece, destined for a private altar, a noble chapel, or a high-ranking prelate.
The reliquary presents a coherent spiritual organization centered on the redemption accomplished by Christ. At its heart lies a relic of the wood of the True Cross (ex ligno S. Crucis D.N.J.C.), the true theological and material center of the object. Around this central piece are arranged relics evoking the Incarnation: those of Saint Joseph, Saint Anne, Saint John the Baptist, and even a fragment of the manger of Bethlehem (ex praesepii D.N.), underscoring the human reality of God made man.
The presence of the twelve apostles, complemented by Saint Paul, Barnabas, and the four evangelists, recalls the universal mission of the nascent Church. To these apostolic pillars are added the great Doctors of the Latin Church — Augustine, Ambrose, Gregory, Jerome, Martin, Nicholas — embodying the unity of faith and intellect. The martyrs, men and women — Stephen, Lawrence, Vincent, Agatha, Lucy, Cecilia, Catherine, Anastasia — surround the Cross with their bloody witness.
Finally, the founding saints such as Francis, Dominic, and Bernard anchor this devotion in the living continuity of the monastic and missionary tradition. Thus, this reliquary is an embodied synthesis of the Christian mystery, a cross formed not only of wood, but of saints, blood, and history.
The reliquary is accompanied by an original authentic document issued by Mgr Costantino Patrizi Naro in 1865, certifying the authenticity of the relics contained within.
"To all and each who shall examine these present letters, we make known and attest that, for the greater glory of Almighty God and the increase of veneration due to His saints, we have recognized as authentic the holy particles of:
The wood of the Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Mary, of Saint Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of Saint John the Baptist, precursor of Our Lord, of the manger of Our Lord, of the bones of Saint Catherine, Saint Vincent, Saint Agatha, Saint Cecilia, Saint Paul the Apostle, Saint Luke the Evangelist, Saint Gregory the Pope, Saint Ambrose the Bishop, Saint Martin the Bishop, Saint Augustine the Bishop, as well as other saints, whose names are contained within the said cross.
These relics, taken from authentic places, we have piously enclosed in a gilded cross, attached with a red silk thread, sealed with our seal, and we authorize that they may be preserved, transported outside of Rome, and exhibited for public veneration in any church, oratory, or chapel.
Done at Rome, in our residence, on August 25, 1865."
- Ex Prae.
➤ ex praesepii D.N. – from the cradle (or manger) of Our Lord. - Josephi S.
➤ Sanctus Josephus – Saint Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary. - Joann. B.
➤ Sanctus Joannes Baptista – Saint John the Baptist, prophet and forerunner. - Joach. Pat.
➤ Sanctus Joachim – Saint Joachim, father of the Virgin Mary. - Annae Mat.
➤ Sancta Anna – Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. - Steph. P.
➤ Sanctus Stephanus – Saint Stephen, first martyr (protomartyr). - Laur. LeM.
➤ Sanctus Laurentius Levita et Martyr – Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr. - Vinc. le
➤ Sanctus Vincentius Levita et Martyr – Saint Vincent, deacon and martyr. - Fab. Seb.
➤ Sanctus Fabianus – Saint Fabian, pope and martyr. - C. Paul
➤ Sanctus Paulus Apostolus – Saint Paul, apostle. - Cos. Dam.
➤ Sanctus Cosmas Martyr – Saint Cosmas, physician and martyr.
➤ Sanctus Damianus Martyr – Saint Damian, physician and martyr. - Ger Pro M
➤ Sanctus Germanus Martyr – Saint Germanus, martyr. - Silvest P
➤ Sanctus Silvester Papa – Saint Sylvester, pope. - Greg L
➤ Sanctus Gregorius Papa – Saint Gregory the Great, pope. - Ambro. E.
➤ Sanctus Ambrosius Episcopus – Saint Ambrose, bishop. - Augus E
➤ Sanctus Augustinus Episcopus – Saint Augustine, bishop. - Hieron P
➤ Sanctus Hieronymus Presbyter – Saint Jerome, priest. - Martini E
➤ Sanctus Martinus Episcopus – Saint Martin, bishop. - Nicolai.E
➤ Sanctus Nicolaus Episcopus – Saint Nicholas, bishop. - Bernar A
➤ Sanctus Bernardus Abbas – Saint Bernard, abbot. - Domin.c
➤ Sanctus Dominicus – Saint Dominic, priest.
- francais
➤ Sanctus Franciscus – Saint Francis, founder. - Ma Mag
➤ Sancta Maria Magdalena – Saint Mary Magdalene. - agathe V
➤ Sancta Agatha Virgo – Saint Agatha, virgin. - Luciae.V
➤ Sancta Lucia Virgo – Saint Lucy, virgin. - agnetis V
➤ Sancta Agnes Virgo – Saint Agnes, virgin. - Caecil.V
➤ Sancta Caecilia Virgo – Saint Cecilia, virgin. - Cathar. V
➤ Sancta Catharina Virgo – Saint Catherine, virgin. - Anastas
➤ Sancta Anastasia Martyr – Saint Anastasia, martyr. - barthol A
➤ Sanctus Bartholomaeus Apostolus – Saint Bartholomew, apostle. - matt AE
➤ Sanctus Matthaeus Apostolus et Evangelista – Saint Matthew, apostle and evangelist. - Simonis.A
➤ Sanctus Simon Apostolus – Saint Simon, apostle. - Thaddaei. A
➤ Sanctus Thaddaeus Apostolus – Saint Jude Thaddeus, apostle. - Mathiae. A
➤ Sanctus Matthias Apostolus – Saint Matthias, apostle. - Barnabae.A
➤ Sanctus Barnabas Apostolus – Saint Barnabas, apostle. - LucAe Eva
➤ Sanctus Lucas Evangelista – Saint Luke, evangelist. - Marci Ev.
➤ Sanctus Marcus Evangelista – Saint Mark, evangelist. - Petri Apo.
➤ Sanctus Petrus Apostolus – Saint Peter, apostle. - Pauli Apo.
➤ Sanctus Paulus Apostolus – Saint Paul, apostle. - And. ap
➤ Sanctus Andreas Apostolus – Saint Andrew, apostle. - JacobiM. A
➤ Sanctus Jacobus Maior Apostolus – Saint James the Greater, apostle. - Joan. Ap
➤ Sanctus Joannes Apostolus – Saint John, apostle. - Thomae Ap
➤ Sanctus Thomas Apostolus – Saint Thomas, apostle. - Jacob M.
➤ Sanctus Jacobus Minor Apostolus – Saint James the Lesser, apostle. - Philippi. A
➤ Sanctus Philippus Apostolus – Saint Philip, apostle.
PERIOD: 1865
CROSS DIMENSIONS: 29 cm × 16 cm
CROSS SIZE: 11.4" × 6.3"
Mgr Costantino Patrizi Naro (1798–1876) was one of the highest-ranking prelates of the Roman Curia in the 19th century. Born in Siena into a noble family, he studied at the Academy of Ecclesiastical Nobles and entered the service of the Holy See early on. He was appointed titular archbishop of Philippopolis in partibus in 1828, then apostolic nuncio to Tuscany. In 1834, he was created cardinal by Pope Gregory XVI.
During the long pontificate of Pius IX, Patrizi held many prominent offices. He was successively prefect of the Congregation of Rites, president of the Congregation of Indulgences and Sacred Relics, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, and especially Cardinal Vicar of Rome from 1845—a role he held until his death. He was also archpriest of the papal basilica of Saint Mary Major. As Cardinal Vicar, he exercised the pope’s authority over the diocese of Rome and signed in this capacity the authentication documents for relics, such as the one accompanying the reliquary presented here.
A prudent theologian and zealous administrator, he actively participated in the preparatory work of the First Vatican Council. His name remains associated with the defense of the Roman liturgy, ecclesiastical discipline, and the strict veneration of relics. He died in Rome in 1876 after more than fifty years of service at the highest levels of the Church.
