I'm in a performance of the Stations of the Cross, and my character is one of the Roman soldiers who crusified Jesus. My particular soldier, however, experiences a conversion during the 11th station, after Jesus is nailed to the cross. At first I thought this was just a lovely little piece of drama the director through into the play so we could sing another song. Then I asked my parish priest and he said there was a soldier who had a conversion at the cross. He said something to the likes of, "This, truely, was the Son of God." I tried looking this up on the internet, but I couldn't find anything, and I don't know where else to look. If anyone has any information on this, or any information on the gaurds at all, it would really be appreciated. Thank you and bright blessings, elizabeth

-- elizabeth ruth hessmiller (rebelangel918@hotmail.com), March 11, 2003

Answers

Response to Roman Guard Conversion at the Crusifiction

Yes, legend calls him Longinus - you might try doing an internet search under that name. "Truly this man was the Son of God," is a direct quote from scripture, as stated by this soldier.

-- Christina (introibo2000@nospam.com), March 11, 2003.

Response to Roman Guard Conversion at the Crusifiction

Hi, Elizabeth

St. Longinus is the soldier that pierced the side of our Lord with his sword. His feastday is celebrated March 15 in the holy Catholic Church.(That would be this coming Saturday) I believe he was Turkish. He was martyred in Cappadocia in the 1st century.

Please rember to say a pray to him on his feastday this Saturday.

St. Longinus please pray for us.

God bless you

-- David (David@excite.com), March 11, 2003.

Response to Roman Guard Conversion at the Crusifiction

Thanks so much to both of you! It is a great help and I will look him up right away. I'll also make a point of honoring him this saturday. Bright blessings!

-- elizabeth ruth hessmiller (rebelangel918@hotmail.com), March 11, 2003.

Response to Roman Guard Conversion at the Crusifiction

The name of the soldier comes to us through Tradition, however the event is recorded in Matthew 27:54 and Mark 15:39.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), March 12, 2003.

Was the roman that was converted the roman that threw the spear into Christ? What was the reason lfor the vinegar they gave Christ?

-- Jimmy Rakestraw (jimboy1939@aol.com), August 06, 2003.

Was the roman that was converted the roman that threw the spear into Christ?

yes

What was the reason lfor the vinegar they gave Christ?

people being crucified couldnt just pass out from thirst, they had to die a painful death. thus they were given something to drink by means of a sponge. the gall (something like vinegar) was given because unlike water gall is bitter and does absolutely nothing to quinch the thirst. thus it prolonged the suffering of the victim.

-- paul (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), August 07, 2003.