- Also called:
- Spear of Destiny, Holy Spear, or Lance of Longinus
Holy Lance
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What is the Holy Lance?
The Holy Lance is the legendary relic that pierced the side of Christ during the Crucifixion. There are at least three reputed relics of the Holy Lance. One is located in Rome's St. Peter’s Basilica, another is displayed in Vienna's Hofburg Palace, and the last is preserved in Vagharshapat, Armenia.
One account says that the Holy Lance was discovered in June 1098 during the First Crusade by Christian Crusaders at Antioch. A peasant, Peter Bartholomew, had a series of visions and revealed the location of the lance. Disputes about the authenticity of the lance caused dissension among the Crusaders, and Peter was eventually discredited.
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Why is the Holy Lance important in Christianity?
The Holy Lance is important in Christianity because it is the legendary relic that pierced the side of Jesus Christ during his Crucifixion, an event recounted in the Gospel of John. The soldier who pierced Jesus' side, traditionally identified as St. Longinus, is said to have been healed of an eye malady by the blood and water that flowed from the wound.
The lance has long been attributed with supernatural powers, and it was believed that whoever possessed it held the destiny of the world. One famous account tells of its discovery during the First Crusade, which inspired the Crusaders to victory. Today, there are at least three reputed relics of the Holy Lance, though the Vatican does not claim authenticity of any of them.
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Who is believed to have used the Holy Lance in the Bible?
The Bible says that a Roman soldier, traditionally identified as St. Longinus, pierced Jesus' side with a spear during the Crucifixion, as written in the Gospel According to John 19:33–34. Christian legend says Longinus had an eye problem and was miraculously healed by the blood and water that fell from Jesus’ side when he pierced him. He is often identified as the converted centurion in Mark 15:39, who said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”.
The Holy Lance has long been attributed with supernatural powers, and it was believed that whoever possessed it held the destiny of the world, for good or evil. There are conflicting accounts tracing its history with various saints or rulers. There are at least three relics of the Holy Lance, though the Vatican does not claim authenticity of any of them.
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What stories or legends are connected to the Holy Lance?
The Holy Lance is the legendary relic said to have pierced Christ's side during the Crucifixion. The Gospel of John identifies the soldier who pierced Jesus as St. Longinus, who, according to legend, had an eye ailment and was healed by the blood and water that flowed from Jesus' side.
Traditions hold that the Lance possesses supernatural powers and that whoever holds it controls the destiny of the world.
One famous story involves its discovery during the First Crusade in Antioch in 1098. Peter Bartholomew, after claiming St. Andrew showed him the Lance's location in a vision, led the Crusaders to it. This inspired them to defeat the Muslims in battle. However, disputes over the relic's authenticity arose, and after Peter Bartholomew failed an ordeal by fire, the Holy Lance was discredited.
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Where have different relics claiming to be the Holy Lance been found?
At least three relics are reputed to be the Holy Lance, the spear that pierced Christ's side during the crucifixion. The Vatican does not claim any of them are authentic. One is located in Rome's St. Peter's Basilica, a gift to Pope Innocent VIII in 1492. Another, also known as the Lance of St. Maurice, is displayed in Vienna's Hofburg Palace and has been used in coronation ceremonies. The final relic is held in Vagharshapat, Armenia, said to have been brought there by St. Jude the Apostle.
During the First Crusade, a piece of iron was discovered in Antioch and was assumed to be the Holy Lance. Peter Bartholomew, who claimed St. Andrew had revealed the location of the lance to him in a vision, led the search. However, after disputes arose regarding the relic's authenticity, Peter was discredited.
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How has the Holy Lance influenced art, literature, or history over time?
The Holy Lance is a relic believed to have pierced Christ's side during the Crucifixion. There are three reputed relics, located in Rome, Vienna and Armenia.
One famous account tells of its discovery during the First Crusade in Antioch in 1098. Peter Bartholomew claimed St. Andrew showed him the location of the Lance, inspiring the Crusaders to win against the Muslims. However, disputes arose regarding the relic's authenticity, discrediting Peter after he was fatally burned during a trial by fire.
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Holy Lance, legendary relic that pierced the side of Christ at the Crucifixion.
There are at least three reputed relics of the Holy Lance, though the Vatican does not claim authenticity of any of them. One is located below the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and was given to Pope Innocent VIII in 1492 after the Turkish conquest of Constantinople. Another is displayed in the Imperial Treasury at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. Also known as the Lance of St. Maurice, this relic has been used in coronation ceremonies. The final relic is preserved in Vagharshapat, Armenia, and legend holds that it was brought by St. Jude the Apostle.
Scriptural account and early legend
The piercing of Christ’s side during the Crucifixion is relayed in the Gospel According to John 19:33–34, “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out.” This final wound to Jesus’ body is the fifth of the Five Holy Wounds of his Passion, and the soldier has traditionally been identified as St. Longinus. According to Christian legend, Longinus suffered from an eye malady and was miraculously healed by the water and blood that fell from Jesus’ side when he pierced the body. He is usually identified as the converted centurion in Mark 15:39 who stated, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
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There are a number of traditions about the subsequent history of Longinus’s spear, or lance, and it has long been attributed with supernatural powers. It was believed that whoever possessed it held the destiny of the world, for good or evil. Conflicting accounts trace its history with various saints or rulers, and its fame during medieval times was not unlike that of the Holy Grail.
Discovery by Peter Bartholomew
One of the most famous accounts of the Holy Lance was its discovery in June 1098 during the First Crusade by Christian Crusaders at Antioch. The recovery of the relic inspired the Crusaders to take the offensive against the Muslims, routing them in battle and securing Christian possession of Antioch. Disputes about the authenticity of the lance, however, caused internal dissension among the Crusaders, and its discoverer, Peter Bartholomew, was eventually discredited.
Peter was a peasant who claimed that St. Andrew had appeared to him in a series of visions and revealed the location of the lance. He informed the leaders of the First Crusade of his visions, and, though Bishop Adhémar of Le Puy was skeptical of their authenticity, Count Raymond of Toulouse was impressed and commanded that a solemn search be conducted for the lance. Peter led them to the Cathedral of St. Peter in Antioch and indicated where the lance would be located. After a day of fruitless digging, he leaped into the hole and produced a piece of iron that was assumed to be the relic. Most of the Crusaders accepted its authenticity and carried the lance with them into battle against the Muslims.
After the recovery of the lance, Peter claimed that St. Andrew reappeared to him at various times, giving him instructions for the prosecution of the Crusade. With the proliferation of Peter’s visions and his attacks on the memory of Bishop Adhémar (died 1098)—who had never believed Peter’s claims—people began to doubt the visions and challenged the authenticity of the Holy Lance.
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When Peter submitted himself to an ordeal by fire to test the validity of his claims, he was fatally burned, and the Holy Lance was discredited. Raymond of Toulouse’s prestige suffered as a consequence of his acceptance of Peter’s visions.