Authenticity and Provenance

Our Commitment to Authenticity

At The Byzantine Cause, we take the authenticity and proper documentation of every relic seriously. Concerns about counterfeit relics are legitimate and well-founded — and we share them. Every item we offer is accompanied by whatever documentation we have been able to obtain and verify. We will never overstate the authentication of any item, and we will always be transparent about what is known, what is uncertain, and what documentation exists.

Types of Ecclesiastical Certificates

Authentic relics for veneration are typically accompanied by one or more of the following types of documentation:

  • Authentic (Certificate of Authenticity): The standard official document issued by a Roman Catholic bishop or other competent ecclesiastical authority. It identifies the relic, attests to its authenticity, bears the issuing authority's seal and signature, and is written in Latin or the local language. This is the primary document recognized by Canon Law (c. 1190) for relics used in public veneration.
  • Letter of Provenance: A letter from a monastery, church, religious house, or named priest or bishop attesting to the origin and history of the relic. While not always a formal canonical authentic, these letters provide meaningful documented history.
  • Reliquary Seal: Older relics may have a wax or lead seal affixed to the reliquary by the issuing bishop, sometimes intact with a ribbon. Where the seal is intact and unbroken, it serves as the primary authentication. We note the condition of any seal in the item listing.
  • Historical Documentation: For antique relics, supplementary documents may include church inventories, property records, auction house catalogues, or published scholarly references. These support provenance even where a canonical authentic is no longer present.

Issuing Authorities

Legitimate certificates for Roman Catholic relics are issued by:

  • A diocesan bishop or his delegate
  • A religious superior with canonical authority over the relic
  • The Vicariate of Rome or other recognized curial offices for relics of Roman saints
  • Monasteries, abbeys, or shrines acting as the custodians of record

For Eastern Catholic or Orthodox relics, the issuing authority may be a patriarch, metropolitan, bishop, or the governing body of a monastery or skete. We note the tradition and issuing authority in each listing.

Chain of Custody

Provenance refers to the documented history of who has held the relic and how it has passed from one custodian to the next. We document chain of custody to the extent that records permit, including:

  • The religious house, estate, or collection of origin
  • Any intermediary owners or dealers, where known
  • The date and manner of each transfer
  • Any auction records, export licences, or notarial records

Gaps in chain of custody are disclosed clearly. An incomplete chain of custody does not necessarily indicate inauthenticity — many genuine antique relics have passed through periods of private ownership during which records were not maintained — but we will not speculate beyond what the documentary record supports.

Documentation Accompanying Each Item

Each listing on our store describes exactly what documentation is included. This may include:

  • The original canonical authentic (certificate), where present
  • A copy or photograph of the original document if the original is held separately
  • A provenance letter or supporting correspondence
  • A condition report on any seal, ribbon, or theca
  • A written summary of known history prepared by us

We do not issue our own certificates of authenticity. Any documentation we provide reflects what has been issued by the relevant ecclesiastical or historical authority.

Material and Condition Disclosure

Where identifiable, we disclose:

  • The relic class: First-class (bodily remains), second-class (item belonging to or touched by the saint), or third-class (object touched to a first-class relic)
  • The reliquary material: Metal type, wood, glass, fabric, and any gilding or enamel work, with approximate age where determinable
  • Condition: Wear, restoration, damage, missing elements, and the condition of any seals or documents
  • Dimensions and weight where relevant

Photographs in listings are taken by us and show the actual item offered. We encourage buyers to examine all images carefully and to contact us with questions before purchase.

How to Verify or Ask Questions

We welcome enquiries about any item's documentation before or after purchase. If you would like to:

  • See additional photographs of documents or the reliquary
  • Request a transcription or translation of a Latin authentic
  • Ask about the history of a specific item
  • Report a concern about an item you have received

Please contact us directly through our Contact page. We will respond to all enquiries as promptly as possible.

A Note on Canonical Law and Private Ownership

Under Canon 1190 of the Code of Canon Law, significant relics may not be sold. The Byzantine Cause does not sell the relics themselves; we facilitate the transfer of reliquary objects and accompanying documentation, in keeping with accepted practice among established relic dealers and ecclesiastical auction houses. Buyers are responsible for understanding the canonical and civil requirements applicable in their own jurisdiction.

Further Reading

For further guidance on relic authenticity, you may wish to consult:

  • The EWTN article on relics and ecclesiastical certification
  • The Code of Canon Law, canons 1186–1190
  • Your local diocesan office, which can advise on the recognition of relics within your diocese