Oval Saint Benedict Medal in zamak. Height 2,2 cm

Oval Saint Benedict medal, made of zamak. The medal has a small ring so it can be used as a pendant on a chain and worn around the neck. Thanks to its size, it is convenient to carry with you at all times, for example in a wallet or coin purse. The medal is finely crafted, and all the details are clearly visible and well defined. It is made in Italy by a craft company that is also a leader in medal production. On the front of the medal is Saint Benedict, holding a cross in his right hand, the Christian symbol of salvation, and his monastic rule on the left. To Benedict’s right, beneath the cross, is a poisoned cup, referring to the legend that hostile monks attempted to poison him and that the cup containing the poisoned wine shattered when the saint made the sign of the cross over it. To his left, beneath the rule, is the raven carrying away a loaf of poisoned bread. This is the origin of the tradition that the medal protects against poisoning. Above the cup and the raven are the words CRUX SANCTI PATRIS BENEDICTI ("The cross of [nostro] Holy Father Benedict"). Around the figure of Saint Benedict are the words EIUS IN OBITU NRO (nostro) PRAESENTIA MUNIAMUR ("May we be strengthened by his presence at the hour of our death"), since the Benedictines considered him a special protector for a happy death. On the back is a cross containing the letters C S S M L - N D S M D, the initials of the words Crux sacra sit mihi lux - Numquam draco sit mihi dux ("May the holy cross be my light! May the devil never be my master!"). The large C S P B stands for Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti ("The cross of [nostro] Holy Father Benedict"). Around the back of the medal are the letters V R S N S M V - S M Q L I V B, referring to Vade retro Satana - Numquam suade mihi vana - Sunt mala quae libas - Ipse venena bibas ("Begone, Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!") Finally, at the top is the word PAX, meaning "peace."