12 Apostles

The twelve apostles ring and cross are designed and made by Michael Hilliar in Dublin, Ireland. Each piece features 13 symbols, one symbol for each of the twelve apostles, and a separate symbol to represent Jesus Christ. The pieces are made from sterling silver. Please read on to learn about the twelve symbols and of the inspiration for Michael's unique design

St Peter

St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles and brother of Andrew is rememberedeach year on June 29th. He was a pillar of the Church, its first Pope.It was believed that the mere casting of his shadow upon the sick wascapable of miraculous healing. Peter is represented by crossed keys,which represent his role as the Holder of the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

St James the Lesser

St. James the Lesser (or Younger) is depicted by the symbol of a saw,which reminds us of his departure from Earth. He was a brother of the ApostleMatthew and shares his feast day with the Apostle Philip on May 1st.He is believed to have been the first bishop of the Syrian Church.

St John

The symbol of the chalice and the snake remember the time when Johnwas spared after drinking from a poisoned chalice. He is remembered eachyear on December 27th and was one of Jesus' closest followers, being thefirst to truly believe He had risen. He is known as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

St Philip

The miracle of the loaves and the fishes is remembered through Philip's symbol:a basket and a Tau Cross (symbol of the crucifixion). Philip was present at theworking of this miracle and his feast day iscelebrated on the same day as James the Lesser, on May 1st.

St Thomas

Thomas is remembered by a lance and a carpenter's square.He is said to have built the first Christian Church in Babylonand another church with his own hands in India, where he alsopreached the Gospel and was later martyred with a lance.The 3rd of July is his feast day.

St Bartholomew

Bartholomew was a scholar who travelled widely to spread the word of God.His apostolic symbol of a knife resting on the Bible recalls his life's workand his death at knifepoint. He is specially remembered on August 24th each year.A very holy man, he is said to have prayed 100 times a day and 100 times a night.He was waited on by angels, and knew all languages.

Jesus

These letters are the first three letters of Ihsus of Ihcuc, the name of Jesus in Greek.

St Simon

The life and work of Simon, who was believed to have preached the Gospel throughout North Africa,from Egypt to Mauritania and even into Britain, is celebrated annually on the 28th of October.He shares this feast day with St Jude. Simon's apostolic symbol is a Fish.He was a former fisherman who became a fisher of men through preaching.

St Andrew

St Andrew, brother of the Apostle Peter, was the first of the Apostles to follow Jesus,and is remembered on the 30th of November for having introduced Jesus to the individual man.Andrew was a fisherman who was very close to Jesus during His life on Earth.Andrew was present at the Last Supper, witnessed the Ascension and shared in the graces and giftsof the first Pentecost. He was crucified on an X shaped cross, which has become his symbol.

St Jude

Jude, the patron saint of hopeless cases, is remembered by a ship because he was a missionarythought to be a fisherman. He is invoked in hopeless situations because his New Testamentletter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the face of harsh difficult circumstances,as their forefathers did before them. St Jude is specially considered on the 28th of October,a feast day he shares with the Apostle Simon.

St James the Greater

St James the Greater, the eldest brother of John, travelled as far as Spain to preach the Gospel.A scalloped shell, the sign of his pilgrimage by the sea, represents him.His feast day is the 25th of July. He was one of Jesus' closest disciples and was present at themiracle of the raising of Jarius' daughter and the Transfiguration.

Judas

The disciple Judas is represented by pieces of silver, due to his betrayal of Jesus for 30pieces of silver.

St Matthew

St Matthew was a brother of St James the Lesser. He was a gifted writer, and ardent discipleand perhaps the best educated of the 12. He was a tax collector before Jesus called him and sois depicted by a moneybag. When summoned by Jesus, Matthew arose and followed Him and held afeast in his house in His honour. It was at the feast that tax-gatherers and sinners sat atthe same table as Jesus and His followers.