Chapter 18
"Now we move to the crucifixion site Golgotha, also called Calvary, which means “bald head” or “skull”, a skull-shaped hill in ancient Jerusalem, the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. The hill of execution was outside the city walls of Jerusalem, apparently near a road and not far from the sepulchre where Jesus was buried. Its exact location is uncertain, but most scholars prefer either the spot now covered by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or a hillock called Gordon’s Calvary just north of the Damascus Gate" Mara said.
"Do you mean the cross isn't even there as there is no viable proof of the location?" I asked
Mara laughed and said, "of course not, many years have passed the city has been destroyed and rebuilt countless times and the relics spread across the world".
"So tell us about the nail that was used to nail Christ to the cross," Asmodeus said.
Mara stopped the car and turned to give us a lecture.
"Relics that are claimed to be the Holy Nail today, which Jesus was crucified are objects of veneration among some Christians, particularly Roman Catholics and the Eastern Orthodox. In Christian symbolism and art, they figure among the Arma Christi or Instruments of the Passion, the objects associated with the Passion of Jesus. Like the other Instruments, the Holy Nails have become an object of veneration among many Christians and have been pictured in paintings.
The authenticity of these relics is doubtful. The Catholic Encyclopedia wrote:
"Very little reliance can be placed upon the authenticity of the thirty or more holy nails which are still venerated, or which have been venerated until recent times, in such treasuries as that of Santa Croce in Rome, or those of Venice, Aachen, the Escurial, Nuremberg, Prague, etc. Probably the majority began by professing to be facsimiles that had touched or contained filings from some other nail whose claim was more ancient. Without conscious fraud on the part of anyone, it is very easy for imitations in this way to come in a very brief space of time to be reputed originals".
It is not clear whether Christ was crucified with three or four nails, and the question has been long debated. The belief that three nails were used is called Triclavianism.
It was also reported that when Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great, discovered the True Cross in Jerusalem in the fourth century AD, the Holy Nails were recovered too. Helena left all but a few fragments of the cross in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem but returned with the nails to Constantinople. As Theodoret tells it in his Ecclesiastical History, chapter xvii:
The mother of the emperor, on learning the accomplishment of her desire, gave orders that a portion of the nails should be inserted in the royal helmet so that the head of her son might be preserved from the darts of his enemies. The other portion of the nails she ordered to be formed into the bridle of his horse, not only to ensure the safety of the emperor but also to fulfil an ancient prophecy; for long before Zechariah, the prophet, had predicted that 'There shall be upon the bridles of the horses' Holiness unto the Lord Almighty.
The fifth-century Church historian of Constantinople, Socrates of Constantinople, wrote in his Ecclesiastical History, which was finished shortly after, that after Constantine has proclaimed Caesar and then Emperor, he ordered that all honour be paid to his mother Helena, to make up for the neglect paid her by her former husband, Constantius Chlorus. After her conversion to Christianity, Constantine sent her on a quest to find the cross and nails used to crucify Jesus. A Jew called Judas Cyriacus led her to the place where they were buried. Several miracles were claimed to prove the authenticity of these items, and Helena returned with a piece of the cross and the nails. Socrates wrote that one nail was used to make a bridle and one was used to make the Helmet of Constantine. Two relics exist that have the form of a bridle and are claimed to be the bridle of Constantine: one in the apse of the Cathedral of Milan, and the other in the cathedral treasury of Carpentras Cathedral.
The Iron Crown of Lombardy has been said to contain one of the nails; however, scientific analysis has shown that the crown contains no iron. The band that was supposed to have been formed from a nail is 99% silver."
"So if Constantine had the nail, who has it now?" I asked
"Nobody is sure who has it but in various places, many people believe the nails in their possession is the real nail that was used to nail Christ," Mara said, she took a sip of her Lemonade, took out a book and flipped to a page and continued. " These are some of the places that claim to have the nail
In the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome. (spike of a nail)
In the Holy Lance of the German imperial regalia in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.
In the Iron Crown of Lombardy in the Cathedral of Monza.
In the treasury of Trier Cathedral.
In Bamberg Cathedral. (middle part of a nail)
In the form of a bridle, in the apse of the Cathedral of Milan (see Rito Della Nivola)
In the form of a bridle, in the cathedral treasury of Carpentras.
In the monastery of San Nicolò l'Arena in Catania. (head of a nail)
In the cathedral of Colle di Val d'Elsa, near Siena".
As we thought about our options and lack of time, an idea popped in Asmodeus's mind and he asked
"Mara what about the Holy Lance?"
"What is the Holy Lance?" I was curious.
Mara adjusted and said
"We're not talking just any spear here, but the Holy Lance. The spear pierced the side of Jesus Christ at the crucifixion. The Spear of Longinus as it is sometimes referred is an ancient weapon, forged by the Hebrew prophet, Phineas. It is so revered for its power in a battle that it remained a sought after weapon by generals, emperors, and kings up until modern times.
The spear was in possession of a Roman Centurion, Gaius Cassius Longinus at the crucifixion. He was the one who pierced the side of Jesus causing blood and water to spurt from the wound. This action resulted in some of the blood and water splattering on Longinus' face. This had the restorative and miraculous effect of fixing his ailing eyesight making him a believer and converting him to Christianity. Ironically he was also later condemned to death for his new, altered beliefs.
Leading up to this, many great historical figures possessed this religious artefact including Herod the Great, Maurice the Manichean, Constantine the Great, Theodoric, Justinian, Charlemagne, Otto the Great, Pope John XII. Sadly, it is not easy to follow the line of those that possessed it perfectly. Napoleon attempted to seize it after the Battle of Austerlitz, but it had been smuggled out of Vienna prior to the battle and he never found it.
Eventually, it ended up in the Hofburg Treasure House in Vienna. It was there, in September 1912 that a young Adolf Hilter first laid eyes on it. He never lost the feeling he had when first seeing it and on the same day in 1938 when he annexed Austria the Third Reich took control of it. During the final days of the war, the US Army took possession of the Spear. 90 minutes after capturing the Spear, Adolf Hilter took his life. It was returned to the House of Hapsburg shortly after.
The shaft of the spear has long disappeared, there only remains the head in two sections and a large nail used to connect the sections. The nail is rumoured to be one of the actual nails from the True Cross. Today, the Spear rests again in the Hofburg Treasure House. A copy can be seen in Cracow, Poland. And to confuse matters, another Spear, claimed to be the true one is in Paris following St. Louis's return from the Crusades. On top of that, another was sent to Pope Innocent VIII by the Ottoman Sultan Bajazet II. That one is now encased in one of the pillars supporting the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. Each is very old and looks very similar. Who can tell which is the real one?
When possessed with care and reverence it carried many kings and emperors to glorious victory in battles. With it, for example, Theodoric forced Attila the Hun into retreat, the only one to do so! But, when not in possession of it, or worse careless possession, it could deal grave misfortune. As noted it changed Longinus and he was killed for the same belief that Jesus was prosecuted for, an odd turn of events for sure. Charlemagne carried the Spear through 47 successful battles but died when he accidentally dropped it. Frederick Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor died within minutes after accidentally dropping it into a stream on one fateful river crossing! Finally, there was the death of Hilter not long after the spear was recovered by Allied troops".
"Uncle to think going after the Lance will be easier than going after the nails," I asked.
"Yes I think so" Asmodeus replied
He turned to Mara and said, "Do you know the exact location of the Lance?"
"Yes," she said
"Can you tell us?" I chipped in
"How about I show you, I am down for an adventure myself," She said.