{"product_id":"relic-of-st-basil-the-great-gilt-bronze-reliquary","title":"St. Basil the Great Relic | Gilt Bronze Reliquary","description":"\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eGilt Bronze Reliquary with a Major Relic of Saint Basil the Great\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAn exceptional \u003cstrong\u003emajor relic of Saint Basil the Great (Sanctus Basilius Magnus)\u003c\/strong\u003e preserved within a magnificent 19th-century gilt bronze reliquary. Saint Basil is one of the most revered \u003cstrong\u003eFathers of the Eastern Church\u003c\/strong\u003e and is universally recognized by the Catholic Church as a \u003cstrong\u003eDoctor of the Church\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis imposing ecclesiastical reliquary is executed in richly gilded bronze of remarkable weight and quality. Its elaborate openwork ornamentation, scrolling acanthus foliage, winged angels supporting the central shrine, and triumphal cross crowning the reliquary proclaim the dignity traditionally associated with the relics of the Church's greatest saints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe monumental design and substantial scale make this an outstanding example of \u003cstrong\u003e19th-century Catholic ecclesiastical craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e, inspired by the exuberant forms of the Roman Baroque.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe Relic and Reliquary\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe reliquary preserves an \u003cstrong\u003eexceptionally large relic of Saint Basil the Great\u003c\/strong\u003e, displayed beneath its original crystal viewing window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe original relic and inscription remain preserved within the shrine, while the substantial gilt bronze construction gives the reliquary an imposing architectural presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eLarge relics of \u003cstrong\u003eSaint Basil the Great\u003c\/strong\u003e are exceptionally uncommon. Substantial authenticated relics preserved within monumental bronze reliquaries are particularly rare and seldom appear outside important historical ecclesiastical and private collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe reliquary is accompanied by its \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal Roman ecclesiastical authentication dated 1833\u003c\/strong\u003e, documenting the relic's canonical recognition and ecclesiastical provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eSaint Basil the Great\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eFew saints exercised a greater influence upon Christian theology than \u003cstrong\u003eSaint Basil the Great (c. 330–379 AD)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eBorn into one of Christianity's remarkable holy families in Cappadocia, Basil received an outstanding classical education in Caesarea, Constantinople, and Athens, where he formed a lifelong friendship with Saint Gregory Nazianzen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eRenouncing a distinguished secular career, he embraced the ascetic life before eventually becoming \u003cstrong\u003eBishop of Caesarea\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most influential episcopal sees of the Eastern Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eDuring the theological struggles of the fourth century, Basil became one of the principal defenders of Nicene Christianity against Arianism. His profound writings on the Holy Trinity played an important role in shaping the theological foundations later affirmed at the \u003cstrong\u003eSecond Ecumenical Council\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eHis influence extended far beyond theology. Saint Basil established charitable institutions that were unprecedented in the ancient world, founding hospitals, orphanages, homes for the poor, and centers for the care of travelers and the sick.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eHis great charitable complex near Caesarea became known as the \u003cstrong\u003eBasileias\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the earliest organized Christian centers of social care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAs a monastic reformer, Basil composed the \u003cstrong\u003eRule of Saint Basil\u003c\/strong\u003e, which remains foundational to Eastern Christian monastic tradition. His theological and ascetical writings have profoundly influenced both Eastern and Western Christianity for more than sixteen centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eHis works include \u003cem\u003eOn the Holy Spirit\u003c\/em\u003e, the \u003cem\u003eHexaemeron\u003c\/em\u003e, numerous homilies, letters, and ascetical writings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eRecognizing his immense contribution to Christian doctrine, the Catholic Church honors Saint Basil the Great as one of the \u003cstrong\u003eDoctors of the Church\u003c\/strong\u003e, while both Catholics and Orthodox Christians venerate him as one of the greatest Fathers of Christian antiquity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eSaint Basil the Great – Father and Doctor of the Church\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eSaint Basil is traditionally associated with the patronage and intercession of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheologians\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBishops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonastic communities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTeachers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStudents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDefenders of orthodox Christian doctrine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eHis theological writings, pastoral ministry, monastic rule, and charitable work established a lasting legacy throughout Christianity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eA substantial relic of such a major figure of Christian antiquity, preserved in a monumental historic reliquary and accompanied by original 19th-century ecclesiastical documentation, represents an important piece of Christian devotional history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003eCardinal Placidus Zurla\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe accompanying authentication bears the authority of \u003cstrong\u003eCardinal Placidus (Placido) Zurla, O.S.B. Cam. (1769–1834)\u003c\/strong\u003e, a distinguished churchman and scholar of the early nineteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eCardinal Zurla's ecclesiastical authority and the surviving original documentation provide important historical context and provenance for this \u003cstrong\u003eSaint Basil the Great relic\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelic:\u003c\/strong\u003e Saint Basil the Great\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRelic Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Major relic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19th century\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReliquary:\u003c\/strong\u003e Monumental gilt bronze ecclesiastical reliquary\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Roman Baroque-inspired\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eViewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original crystal viewing window\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Relic, inscription and ecclesiastical elements preserved\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDocumentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original Roman ecclesiastical authentication dated 1833\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEcclesiastical Authority:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cardinal Placidus (Placido) Zurla, O.S.B. Cam.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 56 × 21 × 15 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eA remarkable \u003cstrong\u003emajor relic of Saint Basil the Great\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the greatest Fathers and Doctors of the Church, preserved within a monumental gilt bronze reliquary and accompanied by its original \u003cstrong\u003e1833 Roman ecclesiastical authentication\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sacra Relics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58816799768911,"sku":null,"price":2316.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1035\/5556\/3855\/files\/photo_2026-06-27_17-50-36.jpg?v=1789771095","url":"https:\/\/sacrarelics.com\/products\/relic-of-st-basil-the-great-gilt-bronze-reliquary","provider":"Sacra Relics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}