San Nereo Martire - Autentica ecclesiastica di reliquia - 1791

The document is an authentic reliquary, that is, an official certification of the authenticity of a relic, in this case from the bones of Saint Nereo Martyr, with bones placed in an oval case with glass, according to the canonical practice of the time.

The act was issued in Rome on January 19, 1791, by Marco Antonio Colonna, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Vicar General of Rome, and Bishop of Palestrina (Praenestinus).

Saint Nereo, together with Saint Achilleo, is one of the earliest martyrs venerated by the Church; their liturgical memory is celebrated on May 12. According to tradition, both were soldiers of the Roman army who, after converting to Christianity, abandoned military life and refused to carry out orders contrary to their faith. One of the earliest testimonies of their cult is the epigraph inscribed in the 4th century by Pope Damaso I, which recalls their renunciation of arms and martyrdom for the faith, probably during the 1st century.

The document features typographic text with manuscript inscriptions, an autograph signature, and an embossed seal from the Vicariate of Rome.
The preservation conditions are very good.