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RELIC HOLDER – SILVER RELIQUARY OF HOLY OBJECTS
History of the Relic Holder
The tradition of wearing relic holders goes back to the first centuries of Christianity.
Pilgrims, visiting holy places and the tombs of martyrs, would take with them consecrated items — oil, water, pieces of cloth, stones — as a blessing. They placed them into small bottles or capsules — the prototypes of modern relic holders — which usually bore images of the Cross or revered saints.
Thus appeared the earliest analogs of modern relic holders — personal reliquaries intended for everyday wear. In the photos shown — examples from the Byzantine Museum in Thessaloniki. These ancient relic holders, called “cutravia”, are adorned with the images of Saint Demetrius, as well as Saint Theodora or the Theotokos (Mother of God).
But the most important thing was not outside, but inside — the greatest holy objects of the Christian world, brought from places that most believers could reach only once, and often — never at all. The relic holder allowed one to keep the memory of this touch and connect it with those grace-filled places throughout life. Therefore, relic holders were worn on the chest, close to the heart.
It is no coincidence that the tradition of wearing relic holders has survived through the centuries and remains relevant today. It is not just a decoration — it is a form of personal keeping of holy objects, a container that reliably preserves them from loss or damage.
6 Holy Objects in Our Relic Holder
The relic holders presented on our website are a direct continuation of this ancient tradition. Because the holy objects placed inside have special significance, the relic holder must be a durable, reliable, and long-lasting container — worthy of its purpose.
These holy objects have been taken by us from the most important places of the Orthodox Church: Jerusalem, Mount Athos, Greece, and Italy. At present, each relic holder contains six holy items.
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Pure myrrh from the relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker in the city of Bari
This is an exceedingly rare holy item that miraculously exudes myrrh from the saint’s relics to this day. It is produced only in the city of Bari and is collected annually during the festive service on May 9.
Because manna is a liquid, we place this holy item in the relic holder in a special way. The myrrh is carefully absorbed into sand taken right from the reliquary of Saint Nicholas’s relics. Then this holy item is encased on both sides with a special transparent substance, forming a solid medallion (tablet), which we affix inside the relic holder.
Saint Nicholas is prayed to for every need — especially for protection in court, help with work, release from debts, and the creation of a family.
Filakto (piece of cloth) from the slipper of Saint Spyridon of Trimythous on the Island of Corfu
A remarkable phenomenon associated with Saint Spyridon is known among Christians around the world: the slippers on his feet wear out over time.
This is explained by an ancient pious tradition: Saint Spyridon, even now unseen, continues to walk the world helping those in need and visiting the suffering. His “worn slippers” signify his ceaseless assistance to believers.
These slippers are changed each year, and the old ones are cut into small pieces and distributed to pilgrims. These pieces are considered a significant holy item and a symbol of prayerful protection by Saint Spyridon
He is most often invoked for intercession, healing, and help in difficult life circumstances — especially regarding work, housing, and employment.
A belt consecrated on the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos from the Vatopedi Monastery, Mount Athos
One of the greatest Christian gifts preserved to this day is the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos. Today, this holy object is located in the Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos.
It is believed that this garment of the Mother of God — by Her prayers — helps in difficult life circumstances, especially in illness and infertility, as well as in moments of confusion and spiritual distress.
Periodically, monks consecrate small belts (ribbons) by placing them on the Belt of the Theotokos and offering prayers over them. These belts, called “belts of blessing,” are then given to believers — as a sign of the prayerful protection and maternal care of the Most Holy Theotokos
A stone from the cave of the apparition of Archangel Michael on Mount Gargano
One of the oldest and most revered places associated with Archangel Michael is located in southern Italy — in the cave on Mount Gargano, where, by tradition, the Archangel repeatedly appeared to people. This place became the first church in Europe dedicated to Archangel Michael and has attracted thousands of pilgrims since the 5th century.
Tradition holds that the Archangel himself consecrated this cave — and all who come there in faith receive blessing and protection.
In the Middle Ages during a plague outbreak, people took stones from the cave on Mount Gargano; in homes where such a stone was kept, the disease did not enter. Thus, through prayer to the Archangel, the epidemic receded and people received protection and healing.
Since then, stones from the cave of Gargano have been venerated as holy items from the site of the appearance of the Heavenly Commander. They are taken as a sign of heavenly protection, defense, and strength in the struggle against visible and invisible enemies.
Filakto (cloth) from the Anointing Stone in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
The Anointing Stone, located in the very heart of the Christian world — in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem — is the holy place where, by tradition, the Body of Christ was laid after removal from the Cross to prepare Him for burial.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year touch this stone, place icons, cloths, prayer ropes, crosses, and personal items upon it — asking for healing, consolation, and strengthening of faith.
The philactery from the Anointing Stone is a piece of cloth consecrated on this place and dipped in nard myrrh. It is considered a holy item that carries the grace-filled remembrance of the Passion of Christ and His Resurrection.
Philactery (cloth) of the righteous John of Russia from the island of Evia
The righteous John of Russia is one of the most beloved popular saints, venerated both in Greece and throughout the Orthodox world.
A prisoner-soldier, he preserved his faith, purity of heart, and humility despite severe trials in captivity.
After his repose in 1730, his incorrupt relics were found and are now kept in the church on the island of Evia, where thousands of pilgrims gather each year.
Many miracles are performed through prayers to John of Russia — especially related to healing from serious illnesses, including paralysis and cerebral palsy, consolation in sorrow, and assistance to children and soldiers.
A filakto here is a piece of cloth consecrated on the saint’s relics and distributed to believers at the church.
Each of these holy items is unique, and together they become a truly priceless gift — one that can remain with you throughout your life, be added to with new holy objects, and be passed down from generation to generation.
Wonderful Help from Relic Holders
Over the years, people who have received these relic holders have repeatedly testified to experiencing God’s help. These testimonies have been carefully collected by us, and many of them are now available in our Telegram group “Facts of Help.”
Follow the link, read, and subscribe: https://t.me/fakty_pomoshi
In this group, you can also share your own testimonies of help.
About the relic holders
