Archive Notes
Important Note:
NAZARENUS REX JUDAEORUM
(Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews)
Image is mirrored and is in caps, technically not a certificate. Talks about the inscription above Jesus that was authenticated by Pope Alexander VI in 1496. The actual relic is a supposed piece of the true cross. There is a chance that the paper is not directly related to the relic.
Latin:
NAZARENVS REX IVDAEORVM
(Imago reversed)
Imago triumphalis Tituli crucis DNJCari Christi, qualis hodie Romae apud Caesareum, intra Basilicam S. Crucis in Jerusalem, seu intra Cappellam SS. Reliquiarum conspicitur cum Fidel. Veritatis. Bulla Alex Papæ VI.
Dat Romae Die 29. July 1496. plene Testis.
Characteres autem insculptos tunc temporis sculptores ut vides, vetustate paulatum laesit, sed Hebraicos magis.
English:
NAZARENUS REX JUDAEORUM
(Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews)
(The text is reversed due to the image representation.)
The triumphant image of the Title of the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, as it exists today in Rome at the Caesarean (Palace), within the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, or within the Chapel of the Holy Relics, faithfully preserved in truth by the Bull of Pope Alexander VI.
Given in Rome on the 29th day of July 1496, as a full witness.
However, the characters inscribed at that time, as you see, have been gradually worn by age, though the Hebrew ones more so.
Clemens Miseratione Divina
Episcopus Veliternus
S.R.E. CARD. MICARA
SS. MI D.NI N.RI PAPAE VICARIUS GENERALIS
ROMANAE CURIAE EIUSQUE DISTRICTUS IUDEX ORDINARIUS ETC.
Universis et singulis praesentes litteras inspecturis fidem facimus ac testamur, quod Nos ad maiorem Omnipotentis Dei gloriam suorumque Sanctorum venerationem recognovimus sacras particulas ex ligno Sanctissimae Crucis Domini Nostri Jesu Christi.
quas ex authenticis locis extractas reverenter collocavimus in theca argentea ovali, forma,
crystallo munita, bene clausa et funiculo serico coloris rubri colligata, ac sigillo nostro signata, easque tradidimus cum facultate apud se retinendi, extra Urbem transmittendi et publicae fidelium venerationi exponendi. Monemus autem fideles in quorum manus hae sacrae reliquiae vel in posterum venturae sunt, nullo modo licere eas vendere, nec cum iis rebus quae mercimonii speciem praeseferant, commutare.
In quorum fidem has litteras testimoniales a Nobis seu ab Exc.mo Vicesgerente subscriptas nostroque sigillo firmatas per infrascriptum Sacrarum Reliquiarum Custodem expediri mandavimus.
Romae, ex Aedibus nostris die VII mensis Aprili Anni MCMLIII.
+ ad Acting Vicesgerens
Clemens Cardinalis Micara
REG. N. 512
English:
CLEMENS BISHOP
OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH, CARDINAL
OF THE MOST HOLY LORD OUR POPE
OF THE ROMAN CURIA AND ITS OFFICES
BY DIVINE MERCY
BISHOP OF VELLETRI
MICARA
VICAR GENERAL
ORDINARY JUDGE OF THE DISTRICT, ETC.
To all and any who shall inspect these letters, we make known and attest that, for the greater glory of Almighty God and in veneration of His Saints, we have recognized and authenticated the sacred particles from the wood of the Most Holy Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
which we have reverently extracted from authentic places and placed in a small oval silver theca,
secured with crystal, well enclosed, and bound with a red silk cord, sealed with our seal, and we have granted them with the faculty to be retained, transported outside the City, and publicly exposed for the veneration of the faithful. However, we admonish the faithful into whose hands these sacred relics may come, that they should never sell them nor exchange them for things that bear the appearance of commerce.
In witness whereof, we have issued this testimonial letter, signed with our hand and confirmed with our seal below, and have entrusted the custody of the Sacred Relics to the designated recipient.
Given in Rome, from our residence, on the 7th day of the month of April,
in the year 1953 (MCMLIII).
+ Acting Vicegerent
Clemens Cardinal Micara
REG. N. 512
