April 23, 2010. St. Paul’s tomb, like that of St. Peter, has been a place of worship since the first centuries of Christianity. Pilgrims habitually left coins  to show the long journey they had taken to get to the apostle’s tomb.



Now, a book shows hundreds of coins pilgrims left behind for centuries at St. Paul’s tomb.

They have found coins from all over the world and from different time periods. Some were minted before Christ and the furthest ones come from Latin America.

Giancarlo Alteri
Author
“Over the tomb of St. Paul 3,600 coins accumulated. It is one of the pieces of evidence showing the apostle was buried in the basilica. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been a reason for the pilgrims to leave their coins on the tomb.”

A treasure accumulated and guarded by  Benedictine monks of the ancient abbey and now published in a book to remember the Year of St. Paul.

Giancarlo Alteri
Author
“Normally we always talk, especially in Rome, of St. Peter the Apostle. Often we forget that Paul also had a world wide following, both in Rome and, as shown by these coins, worldwide.”

The coins are an example of the widespread  following of St. Paul the Apostle, also known as Apostle of the Gentiles.

Cardinal Montezemolo
“In this case the money is a symbol of faith, a small offering the pilgrims made to help, but also to leave their testimony. They wanted to mark their presence and with that they have enriched history.”

An example of unwavering faith throughout the years, that is reflected in a book full of the richness and devotion to St. Paul the Apostle.

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