RELIQUARY, RELIC OF SAINT ELIE

Rare reliquary in silvered bronze with a beveled glass front, containing the first-class relic Ex Ossibus of Saint Elias (hermit in Calabria). The relic is fixed on a fabric background decorated with gold threads and colored stones and it is identified in Latin on a handwritten label as S. Eli:

Good used condition with its original glass.

Not open.

Ecclesiastical stamp present.

PERIOD : 18th
SIZE : 4.5cm X 3cm X 1.3cm
SIZE : 1.8" X 1.2" X 0.5"

Saint Elijah of Calabria was an 11th century Italian monk who founded several monasteries in the Calabria region of southern Italy. He is renowned for his spiritual virtues, his piety and his charity towards the poor and the sick. He also had a vision of the Virgin Mary which encouraged him to continue his monastic work. His feast is celebrated on July 20 in the Catholic Church. He is considered the patron saint of peasants, gardeners and the mentally ill.