The Holy Lance , sometimes called the Lance of Longinus or the True Lance , is one of the most fascinating and mysterious relics of Christianity. It occupies a central place in the stories of the Passion of Christ, since according to Christian tradition, it is the weapon with which the Roman soldier Longinus pierced the side of the crucified Christ. Beyond its role in the crucifixion, the Holy Lance has become a venerated relic, associated with many legends, and it has traversed history with a journey full of twists and turns.
Origin of the Holy Lance: An Emblematic Weapon of the Passion of Christ
In the Gospels, it is mentioned that Jesus, after several hours of suffering on the cross, died before the Roman soldiers broke his legs, as was customary for those crucified. Instead, a soldier, often identified as Longinus in Christian tradition, pierced his side with a spear. This act, described in the Gospel of John (19:34), has an important theological significance, because it precedes the flow of a mixture of blood and water, symbols of Christ's sacrifice for humanity and purification.
This precise moment marked the entry of this spear into the history of Christianity, but it was only over the centuries that its importance as a relic grew.
Relic of the Holy Lance on relics.es
The First Historical References: Antoninus of Piacenza and the Holy Lance
The first known reference to the Holy Lance appears in the writings of Antoninus of Piacenza, a Christian pilgrim who visited Jerusalem in 570 A.D. In his pilgrimage accounts, he mentions that the lance that pierced Jesus' side was kept in the Basilica of Mount Zion in Jerusalem, along with other relics of the Passion, such as the crown of thorns. This mention is essential because it shows that the lance was already the object of veneration in the sixth century.
However, beyond Antoninus' writings, little concrete information exists on the fate of the lance during the following centuries. It was not until much later, during the Crusades, that the lance would once again play a central role in the religious and political history of Europe.
The Rediscovery of the Holy Lance during the First Crusade
One of the most extraordinary events related to the Holy Lance occurred during the First Crusade (1096–1099), a Christian military expedition launched to retake Jerusalem from the Muslims. During this campaign, the presumed rediscovery of the Holy Lance in Antioch transformed a desperate siege into a resounding victory for the Crusaders, marking the collective imagination and influencing the course of the crusade itself.
Context: The Siege of Antioch
In October 1097, the crusaders arrived at the city of Antioch, one of the most important cities in the Near East, located in present-day Turkey. Although Antioch was fortified and defended by Muslim armies, it represented a major strategic challenge for the crusaders, who had to take it before they could continue their route to Jerusalem.
The siege lasted several months, but as the winter of 1098 approached, the situation became critical for the crusaders. The city did not yield, and Muslim reinforcements in turn surrounded the besiegers, placing them in a reverse siege situation. Famine, disease and desertions undermined the morale of the Christian troops. It was in this context of despair that an unexpected event occurred: the alleged discovery of the Holy Lance.
Pierre Barthélémy and the Vision of Saint Andrew
Just as defeat seemed inevitable, a Provençal monk named Pierre Barthélémy made an announcement that would change the course of the siege. Pierre claimed to have had a vision of Saint Andrew , one of Christ's apostles, who revealed to him the location of the Holy Lance, the lance that pierced Jesus' side during the crucifixion. According to the vision, this sacred relic was buried beneath the floor of Saint Peter's Cathedral in Antioch, still intact despite the siege.
The crusaders, exhausted and in search of hope, see in this vision a sign of divine intervention. They believe that this lance, a relic associated with the Passion of Christ, could bring them protection and victory. The leader of the crusaders, Raymond of Saint-Gilles , Count of Toulouse, decides to put Peter Bartholomew's prophecy to the test.
The Excavations and Discovery of the Holy Lance
Guided by Peter Bartholomew's vision, the crusaders began digging beneath the floor of St. Peter's Cathedral in Antioch in June 1098. After several days of fruitless searching, the situation became tense, and some began to doubt the veracity of the vision. But on June 14, Peter Bartholomew himself entered the pit and, according to legend, unearthed an iron object that was immediately proclaimed to be the Holy Lance .
This event provoked immense religious fervor among the crusaders. The discovery of the relic was interpreted as a sign of divine approval of their cause. The morale of the Christian troops, once at rock bottom, was suddenly revived. The Holy Lance became a powerful symbol, an instrument of victory sent by God to support the crusaders in their fight against the Muslim forces.
The Battle of the Orontes: The Holy Lance as a Symbol of Protection
Shortly after the discovery of the Holy Lance, the crusaders faced a new threat: the arrival of a huge Muslim army led by Kerbogha , Emir of Mosul, who came to the aid of the besieged city. As the Muslim troops surrounded Antioch, the crusaders once again found themselves in a desperate situation.
It was under these conditions that the papal legate, Adhemar of Monteil , decided to use the Holy Lance to galvanize the troops before the battle. By brandishing the relic at the head of the armies, the crusaders firmly believed that they were protected by divine power. On June 28, 1098, the crusaders, although greatly outnumbered, emerged from the walls of Antioch and fought a decisive battle on the banks of the Orontes against the forces of Kerbogha.
Against all odds, the Muslim army was defeated, and the crusaders attributed their victory to divine intervention, symbolized by the Holy Lance. This unexpected success marked a turning point in the history of the First Crusade, as it reinforced the crusaders' belief that their mission was supported by God.
The Holy Lance and the Memory of the First Crusade
Despite the controversies, the Holy Lance plays a crucial role in the collective memory of the crusaders and in medieval religious history. It becomes a symbol of divine support for the Christian cause and helps to reinforce the idea that the crusade is not only a military war, but also a sacred mission supported by divine providence.
The victory at Antioch, won under the banner of the Holy Lance, had a considerable impact on the rest of the First Crusade. It gave new hope to the crusaders, who continued their march towards Jerusalem with renewed faith. In July 1099, the capture of the holy city of Jerusalem crowned their efforts and solidified the belief in divine intervention in this expedition.
The Lance's Journey to Constantinople and Its Uncertain Fate
After the capture of Antioch, the Holy Lance entered the treasuries of the Byzantines. It was kept in the imperial capital, Constantinople , until the city fell to the Turks in 1453. At that time, the lance was considered one of the most precious relics of the Byzantine Empire, symbolizing both divine protection and imperial power.
The rest of the story of the Holy Lance is more uncertain. In 1492, the Turkish Sultan Bayezid II sent the lance to Rome as a gesture of goodwill. The Sultan hoped to obtain the release of his brother, who was being held by Pope Innocent VIII. The transfer of the lance was made through Pierre d'Aubusson , Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. Once in Rome, the lance was placed in the treasury of St. Peter's Basilica, where it has remained until today.
The Holy Lance in Rome: A Venerated Relic
From 1492, the Holy Lance took its place in the ancient Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome, quickly becoming one of the most sacred and venerated objects of Christianity. It was offered to the Pope by the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II , in a unique diplomatic gesture. This relic, having already crossed several centuries of history, now found a sanctuary in one of the most important churches in the Christian world. Upon its arrival, it attracted the attention of the faithful and became an object of pilgrimage.
The Exhibition of the Holy Lance in the Old St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica, located in the heart of the Vatican, has been a place of veneration for centuries, and the display of the Holy Lance only serves to accentuate its religious significance. Pilgrims flock to see this precious relic, convinced of its direct connection to the Passion of Christ. The lance is displayed alongside other sacred relics, reinforcing the basilica’s reputation as a spiritual treasure trove where the faithful can connect to faith through objects that have a deep connection to the life of Christ.
The arrival of the lance in Rome was seen as a divine blessing, and it became a symbol of God's protection and support for the Catholic Church. The veneration of the lance by believers was often accompanied by prayers for healing, peace, and spiritual protection, giving it a central role in the religious life of Rome at the time.
The Transfer of the Holy Lance to the New St. Peter's Basilica
In the early 16th century, St. Peter's Basilica was rebuilt under the direction of several popes, including Julius II, in order to transform it into an even larger and more majestic building. The new St. Peter's Basilica , as we know it today, began to take shape. On this occasion, the Holy Lance was moved from the old basilica to one of the four imposing columns supporting the dome of the building, known as the "Pillars of the Cross" .
This transfer marks an important moment in the preservation and veneration of the spear. A commemorative inscription on the pillar where it is kept recalls that the spear was offered by Sultan Bayezid II to Pope Innocent VIII , emphasizing the historical and religious importance of this relic.
The "Pillars of the Cross", which also house other major relics such as a fragment of the True Cross and the head of Saint Andrew, become focal points of devotion in the new basilica. These columns, decorated with sculptures and frescoes, symbolically tell the story of the sacred relics they protect, and the lance is an integral part of this.
The Holy Lance, Pilgrimage and Worship Center
With its installation in the new basilica, the Holy Lance continues to play a vital role in the Christian faith. Pilgrims come from all over Europe and beyond to see it and pray before it, seeking divine blessings and intercessions. The display of the lance, together with other precious relics of Christ’s Passion, reinforces the sacredness of St. Peter’s as a place of prayer, devotion and contemplation for the faithful.
Special ceremonies are held around the lance, especially during major religious celebrations such as Holy Week . During these moments of spiritual fervor, the Holy Lance is sometimes displayed to the faithful, who see in it a tangible connection with the events of the Crucifixion. This proximity to an object so closely linked to the Passion of Christ reinforces the pilgrims' sense of devotion and their faith in the saving power of the Passion.
A Spiritual Heritage in the Heart of the Basilica
The Holy Lance, preserved in one of the great pillars of St. Peter's Basilica, becomes a permanent element of the Vatican's spiritual tradition. It is both a symbol of the Passion of Christ and a manifestation of the connection between the Catholic Church and the founding events of the Christian faith. The inscription on the pillar recalls not only the story of its transfer from Constantinople to Rome, but also the importance of its role in the spiritual protection of the Church.
Other Relics of the Holy Lance: The Case of Vienna and Echmiadzin
In addition to the Roman Lance, other fragments of the Holy Lance are claimed to be authentic. The most famous of these fragments is in the Hofburg in Vienna, where it is also venerated as the Holy Lance. This fragment is said to have been given to the German Emperor by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and has long been considered a symbol of imperial power.
Incidentally, another supposedly authentic fragment of the Holy Lance is preserved in the Echmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia. This fragment is said to have been brought to the region in the early days of Christianity and is still venerated today.
Legends and Symbolism around the Holy Lance
The Holy Lance, in addition to its religious importance, has been associated with many legends over the centuries. Some saw it as a weapon with supernatural powers, capable of granting victory to Christian armies or protecting those who possessed it.
During the Middle Ages, the Holy Lance became a symbol of imperial power and was incorporated into the Regalia of the Holy Roman Empire . It was believed that whoever held the lance also held the power to rule by divine will. Emperors such as Charlemagne and Frederick Barbarossa were linked to this relic, and it became an emblem of the Christian monarchy.
The Holy Lance, or Lance of Longinus, is a relic with a rich and complex history. From Jerusalem to Antioch, from Constantinople to Rome, via Vienna, it has spanned the centuries, carried by legends and beliefs. Whether a symbol of faith or a relic of power, it remains a source of fascination for historians, believers and enthusiasts of religious mysteries. Its theological significance, its role in the great battles of the Crusades and its passage through the hands of the greatest leaders in history make it an invaluable and deeply enigmatic relic.
1 comment
La Sainte Lance est restée à Jérusalem. Les autres lances sont des copies