The story of the reliquary used for the feast of the Invention of the Cross
This morning, the Holy Sepulcher celebrated the feast of the Invention of the Cross by St. Helena (from the Latin invenire: find).
On this occasion, a reliquary in gold and precious stones of the True Cross is exposed. It was made in 1947 by a Benedictine goldsmith, brother Braun, from the objects left or donated by the pilgrims to the Holy Sepulcher over the centuries.
More than 39 rubies, 243 diamonds, 23 amethysts, 10 emeralds, sapphires, opals and pearls have been encrusted on the object. On the four sides of the base, medallions represent different scenes of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, including Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, on the Cross, the flogging of Christ, the Mater Dolorosa, the Resurrection and the Sacred Heart .
After a year of work, the artist presented his object with the following letter (excerpt):
“Jerusalem, April 1st, 1947.
To the most reverend guardian father of the Holy Land,
Today, after almost a year, I finished the reliquary for the relic of the Holy Cross. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the confidence you have shown in carrying out this work and I hope that this sacred treasure, now preserved in such dignity, will increase the veneration of each one of us (…) ”
