Holy relics seized at border, returned to Italy after Winnipeg man bought them on eBay
Holy reliquaries, which included relics of Saint Nicholas, the inspiration behind Santa Claus, were recently confiscated by Canadian border services and subsequently returned to Italy after a Winnipeg man attempted to illegally import them.
The confiscated items included a brass and glass medallion, a wooden statuette of the saint, and a glass tube containing bone fragments, along with supporting documents confirming the authenticity of the objects. These items were purchased by the individual through eBay for a total of nearly $3,300 US before being intercepted by Canadian border officers in Winnipeg in February and June of 2020.
The Canadian government, recognizing the potential violation of the Cultural Property Export and Import Act, referred the reliquaries to the Canadian Heritage department for further evaluation. Expert assessments and consultations with Italian authorities confirmed that the relics were indeed protected cultural property and must be returned to Italy.
In a court decision by federal court judge Roger Lafrenière, it was revealed that the man did not possess the necessary export permit or information regarding the authenticity of the reliquaries. Despite his belief that the items were forgeries intended for donation to his church, he was ordered to pay over $2,200 to cover the costs associated with the motion to return the objects to Italy.
The relics contained bone fragments of Saint Nicholas de Myra, a revered figure who dedicated his life to helping those in need during the third century. Known for inspiring the tradition of gift-giving in various European countries, Saint Nicholas’ tomb in the Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, Italy has been a site of pilgrimage since 1087.
This incident marks the first time that Canada has returned cultural property to Italy, underscoring the commitment to uphold international obligations under the 1970 UNESCO Convention. Both countries have pledged to assist each other in the return of illegally imported or exported cultural property of significant artistic, historical, archaeological, or ethno-anthropological value.
In a joint event between Canadian and Italian officials and cultural heritage experts, the return of the reliquaries was commemorated, and strategies to combat art-related crimes, such as illicit trafficking and theft, were discussed. Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Steven Guilbeault, emphasized Canada’s dedication to enhancing global cooperation in safeguarding heritage, while the Italian ambassador to Canada, H. E. Alessandro Cattaneo, hailed the return of the objects as a positive step forward for both nations.
Overall, the successful repatriation of these relics not only highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage but also underscores the collaborative efforts between countries to combat illegal trafficking of valuable artifacts.
