Holy Lance

thumb|Fresco by Fra Angelico, Dominican monastery at San Marco, Florence, showing the lance piercing the side of Jesus on the cross (c. 1440) The Holy Lance, also known as the Spear of Longinus (named after Saint Longinus), the Spear of Destiny, or the Holy Spear, is the lance that pierced the side of Jesus as he hung on the cross during his crucifixion. As with other instruments of the Passion, the lance is only briefly mentioned in the New Testament, but later became the subject of extrabiblical traditions in the medieval church. Relics purported to be the lance began to appear as early as the 6th century, originally in Jerusalem. Quotes about But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. Gospel of John 19:34 KJV. Others Eva de latere dormientis, Ecclesia de latera patientis. Eve from the side of the sleeping one, the Church from the side of the suffering one. Saint Augustine of Hippo, PL 37.1785. See also Crown of thorns Holy Sponge External links Category:Episodes of the life of Jesus