The Gospel of John tells us a soldier at the foot of the cross thrust his lance into Jesus’ side, and immediately blood and water flowed out. According to legend, at that moment, a drop of Christ’s precious blood fell upon the soldier’s eyes. It is said that for years, the soldier had struggled with poor vision, but at the blood touched his eyes, his sight was miraculously restored. The physical healing was accompanied by a spiritual awakening. Overwhelmed by what had happened, he proclaimed, “Truly, this man was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54)

Repenting for his sin and confessing that he had crucified God in the flesh, the soldier collected the soil soaked with blood and water at the foot of the cross and placed it into a vase. He also gathered the sponge soaked in vinegar that was lifted up to Jesus on a hyssop branch.

Though unnamed in the gospels, the Roman soldier is now referred to as Longinus, a name derived from the Latin word for lance. Stories vary, but Longinus is said to have traveled to Mantua with the blood-soaked earth, known as the “Preziosissimo Sangue di Cristo” (Most Precious Blood of Christ). Longinus was later martyred by decapitation in the same city in 37 AD.

Today, inside the Basilica of Sant’ Andrea in Mantua, Italy, the remains of St. Longinus are kept in a chapel while the vile of the soil soaked with the Most Precious Blood of Christ is inside a crypt in the basilica.

Feast Day: March 15 (Roman Catholic)

Attributes: military attire, lance

Major Shrine: St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

Venerated: Catholic Church, Anglican Community, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox