The Central Bank of Armenia issued a silver commemorative coin The Cross with the Relics of Saint John the Baptist.

St John the Baptist was a prophet who led an ascetic life. He baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River and was honored as one of the greatest saints of the Christian Church. According to legend, St Gregory the Illuminator brought parts of the relics of St John the Baptist to Armenia from Caesarea. In the 14th century the saint’s relics were kept in a silver cross-shaped reliquary made in Adana (Cilician Armenia). The reliquary was renovated in 1670. It represents a gilded cross worked in jewels. St John the Baptist’s hand is depicted on the surface of a rectangular reliquary in the center of the cross.

The Cross with the Relics of St John the Baptist is a brilliant example of metal craftsmanship as well as evidence of sacrament imbued with holiness.

The design of the coin is developed with the support of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

Technical characteristics of the coin: mintage 2500 pcs, the face value is 1000 drams. The coin is made of 925 fine silver; the size is 27.0х47.0 mm and weight 25 grams.

Minted in the B.H. Mayer’s Kunstprageanstalt GmbH, Karlsfeld (Germany)

Source of information: Central Bank of Armenia www.cba.am