St. Longinus

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Saint Details

St. Longinus, a Roman centurion who pierced Christ’s side during the Crucifixion, became a Christian after witnessing the miraculous events surrounding Jesus’ death. He is considered a martyr and is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern and Western Churches.

St. Longinus, a Roman centurion, is best known for his role in the Passion of Christ. According to the Gospel of John (19:34), Longinus was the soldier who pierced the side of Jesus with a spear while He hung on the cross. This act, carried out to confirm that Jesus had truly died, became a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Crucifixion.

However, the true significance of St. Longinus' story lies not in his action during the Crucifixion, but in the profound transformation that followed. After witnessing the miraculous events surrounding Jesus’ death, including the earthquake and the darkness that fell over the land, Longinus was moved by the truth of Jesus' divinity. His conversion to Christianity is said to have been immediate and profound.

The apocryphal "Acts of Pilate" and other early Christian writings describe how Longinus eventually left the Roman army and traveled to Cappadocia, where he became an ardent preacher of the Christian faith. His devotion and zeal for the Gospel led him to martyrdom. He was reportedly captured and tortured by the Romans for his faith, ultimately being beheaded for refusing to recant his belief in Christ.

St. Longinus is remembered as one of the earliest converts to Christianity among the Roman soldiers. He is also venerated as a martyr, whose conversion and subsequent death exemplify the power of Christ’s sacrifice to change lives. Over time, his feast day on October 16 became widely recognized, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions. In the Byzantine Church, he is often depicted holding the spear that pierced Christ's side, symbolizing his pivotal role in the Passion and his transformation into a saint.

While much of the story of St. Longinus comes from tradition and apocryphal writings, his legacy has remained strong in both Eastern and Western Christianity, and he is considered a saint of great significance, whose faith was solidified by his direct encounter with Christ.

Feast Day

16-10-

Birth Date

--1st century

Died Date

--1st century

Canonised Date

--N/A

N/A

O glorious St. Longinus, whose faith was confirmed by the blood of Christ, intercede for us to deepen our love for Jesus. Help us to be bold in our faith and witness to His truth, as you did on the cross. Amen.
ST. LONGINUS

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ST. LONGINUS

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