Dreams of a seasoned warrior
The hot midday sun over Jerusalem was dimly reflected in the broad tip of the Roman spear. Once the owner polished it to a mirror shine. But now, having been in many battles, the tip has faded and is covered with small gouges and scratches. And the owner of the spear was also a match for the weapon. Short and stocky, with strong arms and a broad chest, he was still a mighty warrior. But the wrinkles on his weathered face showed that he was no longer young, and the ugly scar across his entire cheek showed that the warrior did not hide his face from his enemies in battle. The scar ended right at the eye, and it constantly watered, making it difficult to see clearly. Well, old age once comes to the brave legionnaires of Rome. True, not everyone lives up to it.
This warrior was lucky. A participant in many battles, he earned the respect of his comrades and received the position of centurion (in Russian this position is also called “sotnik”). This was the name given to officers in the Roman army who commanded a century, that is, a hundred soldiers. True, the days when he led his hundred in an attack on angry barbarians are long gone. Now young warriors are conquering new lands for Rome. And our centurion served out his soldier life here, in a remote garrison on the very outskirts of the Empire. His name was Longinus.
Under his command were a hundred soldiers guarding arrested criminals in the basements of Praetoria, the residence of the Roman ruler. The service seems to be not difficult, but for a combat officer it is unpleasant: after all, the duties of the guard also included the execution of death sentences. During his military life, Longinus killed people many times. But it’s one thing to defeat an armed enemy in a fair fight. It’s quite another thing to execute an unarmed, pathetic person. The centurion did not like what he had to do. However, his military service was coming to an end, and enough money had accumulated in the legion's coffers that he could soon retire to a well-deserved pension.
Longin imagined the apricot orchard on his father’s estate and remembered the delicate aroma floating throughout the area during the flowering season. There is only a little time left to wait, and he will finally return to where he left for service when he was very young. For this it is worth enduring the humiliating duties of a prison guard and executioner. Although he doesn’t have to do anything himself. Just make sure that subordinates do everything properly.
This is what Longinus thought on that April afternoon. Leaning on his spear, he closed his eyes, exposing his face to the gentle spring sun. It’s just a pity that you can’t close your ears in the same way so as not to hear the groans of crucified criminals right above your head. Never mind, very soon he will be listening to the birds singing in his father’s garden. The dirtiest part of the job has already been completed: the three condemned men have been taken to the place of execution and nailed to crosses. All that remains is to drive away the crowd of onlookers who came to gawk at someone else's painful death, and wait for the unfortunate ones to die on crosses from unbearable suffering.
Gallery
- 0 Statue de Saint Longin par Gian Lorenzo Bernini – Basilique St-Pierre – Vatican.jpg
Saint Longinus sculpture by G. Bernini in St. Peter's Basilica
- Fra Angelico 027.jpg
Longinus piercing the chest of Christ, fragment of a fresco by Fra Angelico
- Mathis Gothart Grünewald 047.jpg
Christ on the Cross, Three Marys, Evangelist John and St. Longinus Matthias Grunewald
- Sao Longuinhos - Bom Jesus.jpg
Saint Longinus in the Cathedral of Bom Jesus do Monti[en], Braga, Portugal
- Longinus (Russia, 19 c).jpg
Centurion Longinus Russian wooden sculpture, 19th century
What is this Man guilty of?
The old warrior had long ceased to feel pity for those whom he had to kill. But this time everything was different. For some reason he was not indifferent to one of the criminals. With those two, everything was clear: robbers, captured for murder, shedding other people's blood for money. The centurion had executed such people many times already and believed that he was doing a good deed. But this third one... Perhaps Longinus liked how boldly he stood in court before the procurator Pontius Pilate, the man who ruled Judea, conquered by Rome. Never before had the old warrior seen such courage in people. And Pilate himself seemed embarrassed then, hearing the answers of this strange defendant named Jesus. As if He were the one judging the procurator, weighing the measure of his sin on invisible scales, and not the procurator deciding whether he should live or die. At the trial, Longinus did not understand why he would have to take the life of this brave man, what his fault was.
Then, when the convicted criminals were already driven along the road to the place of execution, each of them had to carry his cross on himself. But Jesus continually fell under the weight of this terrible burden. Beaten by soldiers in Pretoria, he became completely exhausted. Longinus narrowed his teary eye, carefully looked at the onlookers crowding around and chose a stronger man. Calling him over with a gesture, the centurion nodded at the fallen Jesus and ordered the passerby to take the cross from him. Longinus's subordinates watched in surprise as their boss took care of some unfamiliar native, who only had a few hours left to live. But it was not in their rules to object to the elder. Moreover, within a few minutes the centurion ordered all three condemned to be nailed to crosses, without making any concessions to anyone.
While the soldiers divided the clothes of the executed among themselves, Longinus stood aside. He did not need the pitiful rags for which the young soldiers eagerly cast lots. He turned his tanned face towards the sun and tried to think about his imminent retirement, about his father’s house, about the apricot orchards in bloom. But instead, for some reason, thoughts kept popping into my head about an unusual person who was called a criminal. Longinus had just written his guilt on the tablet with his own hand: “King of the Jews.” Never before had he had to execute a person simply because the people considered him a king. And this Jesus really behaved at the trial like a king who was betrayed by his subjects. He had so much dignity and inner strength that even the procurator exclaimed in amazement, pointing at him, “Here is a man!”
But the Jews who came to the place of execution did not think so:
- Hey, if you really are the Son of God, show us your strength - come down from the cross now! Can not? That's it!
“I helped others, but I couldn’t help myself.” What kind of Son of God are you?
- Do a miracle, King of the Jews! Save yourself from death! Then we will believe you!
Longinus was disgusted by these people with their incomprehensible malice. Why do they mock someone who is already dying a painful death? How can you mock someone else's suffering?
The centurion stepped forward decisively, lowered his spear and swung it from side to side. The sharp tip described a wide semicircle in front of the faces of the frenzied onlookers, as if outlining an invisible line that could not be crossed. The crowd drew back and fell silent for a moment. But then she began to scream and curse again.
And Longinus looked at the one to whom all these cries were addressed. “Son of God... King of the Jews... Who are you really? And what did you do that makes your fellow tribesmen hate you so much?” - he thought, rubbing his watery eye. However, this no longer matters. Whoever was executed, he had very little time to live.
Veneration of Longinus the Centurion: prayer, statue of Bernini's hands
The Orthodox greatly revere the martyr Longinus and parts of them pray to him. It is believed that the Centurion helps heal bad eye diseases. The saint's day of remembrance in the Orthodox tradition is October 29 (16 old style). One of the chapels of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher is dedicated in honor of Longinus.
Regarding the relics of Longinus, it is believed that they are kept in Rome in the Church of St. Augustine. An equally important relic, the tip of the spear of Longinus, is preserved in the Church of St. Peter in the Vatican. There is also a statue of a centurion made by the master Bernini.
Statue of Saint Longinus, sculptor Giovanni Bernini, St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
Who are you, Jesus?
Meanwhile, the soldiers finished dividing the clothes of the executed. There was nothing else to do. For the sake of entertainment, they also began to mock the one who was dying on the cross under the sign “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Longinus furrowed his eyebrows angrily and shouted at them:
- Well, shut up. Roman soldiers should not behave like these people! Better drive them away, this scream is already ringing in my ears.
But as soon as the soldiers carried out the order, a stream of abuse rained down on Jesus from the robber crucified next to him:
- After all, you raised the dead, you can do anything. Why don't you want to show what you're capable of now? Save yourself and us at the same time! Oh, you just can't do that! This means that they really say about you that you are a liar and an impostor!
Longinus sighed. Apparently, this damn day will never end and insane screams will sound forever from all sides. He was about to hit the robber in the face with the shaft of his spear to silence him. When suddenly he was ahead of him by another robber hanging on the cross:
- Leave it alone, brother. Or are you not afraid of God, when you yourself are condemned to the same death? You and I get what we deserve. And this man did nothing wrong.
His accomplice fell silent in confusion, not expecting such words from his comrade. And he now turned to Jesus:
- Sir, remember me when you come to your Kingdom!
Jesus, without raising his head, answered him:
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Longinus listened to this conversation of people dying on crosses and did not understand what was going on in his soul now. “Master... Kingdom... Today you will be with me in paradise...” Who are you, Jesus? Whom do I have to execute at the very end of my military service?
And then Jesus cried out with a loud voice:
“Into Your hands, Father, I commend my spirit!” - and having said this, he died.
At the same moment, the earth shook and the sun in the sky darkened as if night had fallen. To many people in Jerusalem, this may have seemed like just a natural phenomenon. But the centurion Longinus was ready to swear under oath that the earthquake happened precisely at the moment when Jesus gave up his spirit on the cross.
Shocked by everything he saw and heard, he exclaimed:
“Truly this man was the son of God!”
Usually the condemned died on the cross within many hours. But the next day was Saturday - the holy day of the Jews. And their commanders asked Pilate to speed up the execution in order to remove the bodies from the crosses before sunset. Carrying out the order of the procurator, Longinus ordered his soldiers to break the legs of two robbers, after which the sufferers immediately died. But he did not allow his soldiers to approach the third executed man: after all, Jesus had already died. However, the established order in the Roman troops required that the guards make sure that all those executed were dead.
Longinus approached the cross on which the body of Jesus hung helplessly. After hesitating for a second, the centurion raised his spear and, with a short, precise blow, plunged it straight into Jesus’ heart. Blood and water sprayed from the wound, the drops hit Longinus directly in his sore eye. He wiped his face with his palm. And suddenly he realized that his eye could see again, that the tear clouds from an old wound no longer obscured his world! Longinus did not understand how this could happen. He blinked a little, checking to see if he was imagining it. But no, the eye was absolutely healthy and no longer watered. The soldiers looked in surprise at their blinking centurion and waited for his command.
Apocryphal evidence
In apocryphal literature, the earliest mention of this episode is found in the Latin version of the Acts of Pilate, part of the Gospel of Nicodemus. The Roman soldier who pierced the body of Jesus is named in this apocrypha by name: the centurion Longinus
. In Western tradition he is identified with the centurion mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew (27:54), Mark (15:39), and Luke (23:47). According to one of the hagiographic texts attributed to Hesychius of Jerusalem, the centurion Longinus repented and converted immediately after the death of Jesus Christ, frightened by the subsequent eclipse and earthquake, became a preacher of Christianity and was killed in Caesarea Cappadocia in 58, from where, according to other testimonies, he was originally from[1][2].
One of the earliest depictions of the crucifixion scene, a miniature from the Gospel of Rabula, an illuminated Syriac manuscript of the 6th century, includes the name of the soldier inscribed above his head in Greek in a modified form: Login, ΛΟΓΙΝΟΣ (it is possible, however, that the name could have been added in miniature later).
Miracle at the Tomb
The execution ended, all three convicts were dead. Usually the bodies of executed criminals were dumped in an abandoned quarry, which was located right there, right behind the hill. But some respected Jews in the city came for Jesus with permission for the funeral from Pontius Pilate himself. This had never happened before in the centurion's memory. But a soldier's job is to follow orders, not to think about their reasons. Longinus allowed those who came to remove the body from the cross and bury it in a cave not far from the place of execution. The soldiers were about to return to the barracks, when suddenly a new group of Jews blocked their path. These were the high priests, accompanied by their servants.
“Mr. Centurion, we have a small favor to ask of you, for which we are willing to pay generously.” Could you place your soldiers on guard near the cave where Jesus was just buried? We fear that his disciples might steal his body, and we would like to have Roman guards guard the cave against them for two nights.
Longinus looked into the eyes of the high priest who was speaking to him and grinned:
“Did I understand you correctly: you want my soldiers to watch the dead man for two nights, and are you ready to pay for it?”
- Yes, sir. This is exactly what I ask of you. We have already been to the procurator, he gave permission if you agree. For these two nights we will pay your monthly salary.
“Hmm... I’ve never seen such fools before,” Longinus continued to look at the petitioners who came to him with a grin. “However, if you have extra money and your bosses have given permission, my guys wouldn’t mind relaxing here for a couple of days.” Guarding the dead is not a difficult job.
But the centurion was wrong. He and his soldiers could never forget what happened to them on the morning of the third day at the tomb.
When the agreed period of duty ended, the disciples of Jesus actually came to the cave. But to fear that they might steal Jesus' body was simply ridiculous. The fact is that these were two women. Their thin hands could not even simply move the stone that blocked the entrance to the cave. So this is who the high priests feared so much that they hired armed guards! Longinus remembered their worried look and smiled wryly. Nothing to say, brave men. Two weak women were scared! Longinus gave the command to remove the guard. The soldiers were about to leave, when suddenly a terrible roar was heard and the earth shook again. A huge stone rolled away from the entrance like a lump of dry grass.
The soldiers closed their eyes in surprise. And when they opened their eyes, they saw an Angel. He sat on a stone rolled away from the entrance and shone like lightning, and his clothes were white like snow.
This terrible sight left the Roman soldiers in awe. They froze as if dead and could not move either arm or leg. The angel, turning his speech to the women, said:
- Do not be afraid, I know that you are looking for Jesus crucified. He is not here - He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay, and go quickly, tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead and will be waiting for you in Galilee; you will see Him there.
And the women hastily left the tomb and ran to tell the rest of Jesus’ disciples the good news. And Longinus, barely coming to his senses from what he had seen, immediately took the soldiers to Praetoria and reported to Pontius Pilate about everything that had happened.
Soon the high priests came to Longinus again.
“Mr. Centurion, we promised you a month’s salary for two nights of guard duty.” We now offer an annual salary. Just tell everyone that it was Jesus’ disciples who stole his body at night while you and the soldiers fell asleep at the post. And don’t tell anyone what you really saw. This is a good deal, agree.
Longinus listened to them and habitually rubbed the scar on his face with his palm. And, slowly, he began to speak:
“You are offering me, for this pitiful money, to help in your war with those whom the Angels serve.” You invite me to become his enemy and tell lies about the one who defeated death itself. And you call that a good deal? I see you are completely crazy. And that’s the only reason I forgive your stupid insolence. Go away before I order the soldiers to throw you out of here.
- Centurion, think carefully. We have already spoken with the prosecutor. Pontius Pilate supported our request. Be reasonable too. Why should we quarrel, because it is better to live in friendship.
— The friendship of liars smells bad and is inexpensive. You have not yet understood who you are trying to fight against, and therefore you say your absurdities. But I saw what forces he commands. And now I am ready to quarrel with the whole world - for the sake of friendship with Jesus. And you are doomed in a war with him. Go and don't waste my time with empty talk.
Notes
- Boris Derevensky.
Jesus Christ in the documents of history. - St. Petersburg: Aletheia, 2007. - ISBN 978-5-903354-20-7, p.Places Garden of Gethsemane • Sanhedrin • Golgotha Jesus and disciples Jesus Christ • Virgin Mary • Mary Magdalene • Mary of Cleopas • John the Theologian • Apostle Peter • Apostle Mark • Judas Iscariot • Myrrh-Bearing Women Jews Herod Antipas • Caiaphas • Annas • Malchus • Servant the Doorkeeper • Barabbas • Simon of Cyrene • Ahasuerus • The Prudent and the Mad Robbers Romans Pontius Pilate • Claudius Proculus • Centurion Longinus Items Instruments of the Passion: Crown of Thorns • Robe of the Lord/Seamless Chiton • Life-Giving Cross • Titlo INRI • Spear of Longinus • Holy Grail • Thirty Pieces of Silver Iconography Ecce Homo • Shape of the cross of Jesus Christ • Crucifixion (decorative arts)
After the Resurrection
Soon, centurion Longinus submitted a request for early retirement. There were rumors that he had found disciples of Jesus in the city and had become one of them himself. They also said that he boldly testified among the people about the resurrection of Jesus, and none of the Jews could object to him. And how can you object to someone who himself pierced the heart of Jesus on the cross, and then saw an Angel at the empty tomb? Having finally received payment from the regiment, Longin went home to his father’s estate. As a souvenir of the service, he took only the tip of the very spear that touched the heart of Jesus.
He had a long and difficult path ahead of him. He did not yet know that the high priests harbored a grudge against him. That by paying Pontius Pilate huge amounts of money, they will achieve a death sentence for the centurion. That the procurator would send a detachment of soldiers after him, who would have to bring the head of Longinus to Jerusalem. And he will become one of the Christian martyrs who gave their lives for preaching the Gospel.
But all this will happen later. In the meantime, the former centurion was traveling to his native Cappadocia. But his thoughts were not about fragrant apricot orchards now. He thought about how he would tell people about the Son of God, who became a man, died on the cross and was resurrected. About how just one drop of Jesus' blood healed his sore eye. And how his heart hurts with shame every time he remembers how he struck the heart of the Son of God with a spear.
An icon was painted to Saint Longinus
An interesting fact is that the name Longinus is not mentioned in any Gospel and appears in later works. Even the Evangelist Mark, who also mentioned in his work the piercing of the Savior’s body with a spear, reports only about the nameless centurion who, after the death of Christ, exclaimed:
Mk. 15:39
“Truly this man was the Son of God.”
Icon of Saint Longinus the Centurion
