Longinus the Centurion

Centurion at Calvary (Gaius or Lucius Cassius called "Longinus" by tradition.) In the Gospel of St. Luke beginning in the 15th Chapter and the 39th Verse it is written, "So when the centurion saw that [Jesus] had breathed his last he said, 'Truly, this was the Son of God." And in the Gospel of St. Luke beginning in the 23rd Chapter and the 47th Verse it is written, "When the centurion saw what had happened he glorified God, saying, "Certainly, this [Jesus] was a righteous Man".

Several legends and stories have been written about Longinus following the Crucifixion of Our Lord. Many portray him as a tortured soul who eventually becomes a Christian and martyred for his new faith in Cappadocia.


Propers for Longinus the Centurion - 15 March

The Collect.

O God, Who didst chose the soldier Longinus to offer Christ quenching of His thirst on the Cross, to witness the final moments of the earthly life of Thy Son, the great and awesome portents that appeared at His death, and to open Thy Son’s side with his lance so that blood and water flowed from His side, grant us, we beseech Thee, that our eyes will be opened to see He who is our salvation. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, throughout all ages of ages. Amen.


The Epistle - 2 Timothy 2:1-10.


The Gospel - St. Matthew 27:33-54.


Reference and Resources:

http://orderofcenturions.org/history.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Longinus
http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-longinus-the-centurian/
http://www.reu.org/public/liturgys/I_Longinus_S.pdf

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