And because he was selected as one of the soldiers that would crucify the Lord, he systematically said, “I am sick” avoiding that and waited until 3:00 PM.
✞But later in the day, because the Jews declared, “Anyone who does not have a part in the death of Christ is a criminal”, he fearful reached Calvary. They then told him, “Spear His side” and gave him a black lance. Longinus looked at the eyes of our Lord and guessed that He was not watching him.
✞And for the reason that He had separated His soul from His body by His divine power, Longinus held the spear and pierced the side of our Lord. And from the side of our Lord fresh blood and water came forth in the shape of “ለ” (an inverted “V”). One drop struck his blind eye and his eye saw.
✞It became a great joy for Longinus. And for us, the baptismal water and the honorable blood sprang from His side. Our Lord’s longsuffering and mercy is awe-inspiring.
As the scholars have said, “He did not think of being pierced by his lance Rather He did not want him to die in his wickedness Hence, I praise His mercy and again His patience.”
✞After our Lord’s resurrection, Longinus went to St. Peter and learned about truth and the faith. And after being baptized and he left his military profession, he went from Jerusalem to Cappadocia preaching. He served our Lord Christ for years according to the rites of the Gospel.
✞Finally, in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Jews persecuted and mistreated him. And because he was their countryman, they afflicted him greatly. Even so, the Patriot of Righteousness and the Apostle of Christ, St. Longinus, persevered. On this day, he became a martyr after Jews beheaded him. The Saint has performed miracles while he was alive and after his passing.
✞✞✞ May God call us all in His good calling to the true path of righteousness. And may He grant us from the grace and blessings of the Martyrs.
✞✞✞ Annual feasts celebrated on the 23rd of Hamle 1. Our Mother St. Marina/Margaret (The Great Martyr) 2. St. Longinus the Soldier (Apostle and Martyr) 3. St. Abtlemanos (Ptolemy/Ptolemaeus) of Shoka
✞✞✞ Monthly Feasts 1. St. David (a man after God’s own heart/will) 2. St. George the Arch-Martyr 3. The Righteous St. Solomon (King of Israel) 4. Abba Timothy the Anchorite 5. St. Daniel the Prophet 6. Abba Samuel 7. Abba Simon 8. Abba Gabriel
✞✞✞“But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.”✞✞✞ John 19:33-37
✞✞✞ Salutation to God ✞✞✞
(Translated by Mhr. Esuendale Shemeles with the permission of Dn. Yordanos Abebe)