Tyresa

He speared the side of Christ, and then he became a Saint, a centurion in the armies of God. Saint Longinus was the Roman Centurion who pierced the side of Christ with a spear to ensure He was dead. Tradition says he was partially blind. When the blood and water flowed from Jesus' side, it splashed onto his face, instantly restoring his sight. He threw down his spear and cried out: "Truly this man was the Son of God!" The weapon that speared Christ became a relic (The Spear of Destiny), and the man who wielded it became a martyr for the Faith. Later he was persecuted by the Roman Empire for spreading the faith in Cappadocia. There he preached Christ crucified and risen, converting pagans, baptizing multitudes. The governor demanded he bow to idols. The soldier of Christ refused. He laughed at their lifeless statues: “They are not gods. They cannot save.” They arrested him, tortured him and took his eyes, a brutal mockery of the vision Christ had given him. But even in darkness, Longinus stood strong: “I have seen the truth,” he declared, “and no man can blind me now.” Still desperate to break him, the governor led Longinus to the temple of the gods, demanding he bow. Before him stood a massive idol, cold and lifeless. Then they cut out his tongue, thinking they had stolen his voice. But the Heavens defied them, Longinus continued to speak clearly, his words as if carried by God Himself. His hand found the hilt of a discarded sword. And with one mighty strike, he cleaved the false god’s head from its body. As the stone shattered, he roared for all to hear: “NOW WE SHALL SEE IF THEY ARE GODS OR NOT!” The Emperor had him martyred for this, but his actions had already converted thousands. Saint Longinus was a soldier of Rome, but he died a warrior of Christ, and in that, he won the greatest battle of all. The battle for his soul. Saint Longinus, patron saint of soldiers and converts, pray for us!