First published in 1952, this classic recounts the story of Basil, a young silversmith, who is commissioned by Luke the Evangelist, a disciple of Christ and biographer of the Apostle Paul, to fashion a holder for the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper.

The Silver Chalice takes place in Judea and other parts of the Roman Empire shortly after the death of Jesus.

He gains his freedom, becomes a Christian and is commissioned to create an outer covering for the cup Jesus drank from at The Last Supper.

Joseph of Arimathea hires Basil of Antioch, a lowborn artisan, to fashion a beautiful silver casing to hold the plain original cup that Jesus used.

To fulfill the commission, Basil travels throughout the ancient Mediterranean world to meet these men and those who knew them intimately.