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The Holy Ring
San Lorenzo Cathedral in Perugia is the keeper of the Holy Ring (or Sacred Ring) of the virgin Madonna. It is is reputed that the Holy Ring was given to her by Joseph on their wedding day. The holy relic is kept in a safe in the San Lorenzo cathedral 8 meters above the sacristy and is protected by a series of metal gates and doors and requires 14 keys to open it. The keepers of the keys include the Archbishop, the canons of the cathedral and other civic authorities.
Find out more about San Lorenzo here.
The Holy Ring is made from a piece onyx which technically is not a jewel but the faithful believe it is priceless.
The story of how the Holy Ring ended up in the San Lorenzo cathedral in Perugia
Now I’ve found several versions of this story but it mostly goes like this:
- In 985 AD Raniere, a Chiusi goldsmith named Aineria, bought the ring from a Jewish merchant. The merchant said it gave him strong spiritual powers. He instructed Aineria that he should keep the ring with his most precious possessions.
- Aineria’s child died early in life in his short life. While grieving, Anieria saw him rise from the bed and chastised his father for not looking after the ring. Aineria could now prove that the ring was authentic and (for some reason) donated it to a convent.
- A little known friar from Germany Fra Vinterio lived in Chiusi for and new the legend of the ring well. Frankly, he did not believe the town deserved such blessed relic. The townspeople had thrown him jail one or two times over the years. It does make you wonder what his character was like based on this.
- He stole the ring wrapped in silk and put in his purse before riding in the direction of Assisi. Nobody realised the ring had gone until much later on.
- Fr Vinterioa didn’t make it to Assisi. Heavy fog prevented his journey continuing so he diverted to see a friend in Perugia where he spent the night.
When the Chiusians found the friar they imprisoned him again. (This was a habit of his). He spent the rest of his life in jail.
- The ring eventually formally becomes the property of Perugia and locked in the alter of the Decemviri chapel under lock and key. Later the Holy Ring was transferred to San Lorenzo in 1488. It remains there today.
There is a lot more bits and pieces to this story but that enough for now. One account even suggests a war broke out somewhere in all of this. Who knows but the ring now resides in San Lorenzo 8 meters above the alter.
More detailed information
You can find more information at these sites: