19th Cent. Reliquary 1 St Class Relic St. Thomas The Apostle + Wax Seal

This remarkable 19th-century reliquary holds a 1 st Class (From the body) Holy Relic of:
Saint Thomas - Apostle
Was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. Thomas is commonly known as "doubting Thomas" because he initially doubted the resurrection of Jesus when he was told of it (as is related in the Gospel of John); he later confessed his faith ("The lord of me and the God of me") on seeing the places where the wounds appeared still fresh on the holy body of Jesus after the Crucifixion of Jesus.
Thomas the Apostle, detail of the mosaic in the Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, 6th century
According to traditional accounts of the Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala, Thomas travelled outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel, traveling through southern India in the modern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and eventually reached Muziris (modern-day North Paravur and Kodungalloor) in 52 CE. He started the Church of the East in the region around the Van Province, Edessa, and Hakkari regions of Upper Mesopotamia (modern-day southeastern Turkey), presumably sometime between mid-late 30s and 45, and spent many years evangelizing both Jews and pagans in the area before heading further east in the late 40s. In 1258, some of the relics were brought to Ortona, in Abruzzo, Italy, where they have been held in the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle. He is regarded as the patron saint of India among its Christian adherents, and the Feast of Saint Thomas on July 3 is celebrated as Indian Christians' Day. The name Thomas remains quite popular among the Saint Thomas Christians of the Indian subcontinent.
Reliquary description
The relic is safely kept under a glass resting on a gold thread silk background. 
At the back of the reliquary, we find the Episcopal’ s wax seal of His Eminence Cardinal Engelbert Sterckx, Archbishop of Mechelen, Primate of Belgium. The threads and wax seal are in outstanding condition guaranteeing the authenticity of this holy relic.
Condition
Great condition. No damage or missing parts. The silk threads and wax seal are intact and in their place. Beautiful patina.
Provenance
Belgium private collection
Measurements:
Diameter: Approx. 4 cm 
Height: Approx. 2 cm
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Please note that we only sell the containers of our relics, the Holy Relics are given free in accordance with canon law.
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