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Martyr Longinus the Centurion: Witness at the Cross · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Friday, october sixteenth, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember Martyr Longinus the Centurion, a Roman soldier who served in Judea under Pontius Pilate.
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  SPEAKER_00: Longinus was in charge of the soldiers who stood watch at Golgotha, right at the foot of the cross where Jesus Christ was crucified.
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  SPEAKER_00: Longinus and his soldiers saw the final moments of Jesus' earthly life.
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  SPEAKER_00: They witnessed the great and awe inspiring signs that appeared at his death.
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  SPEAKER_00: These events deeply moved Longinus.
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  SPEAKER_00: He declared openly, Truly this was the Son of God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Church tradition tells us that Longinus was the soldier who pierced Jesus' side with a spear.
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  SPEAKER_00: When the blood and water flowed from the wound, Longinus was healed of an eye disease.
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  SPEAKER_00: After Jesus was buried, Longinus and his soldiers guarded the tomb, they were present at the resurrection of Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Jewish leaders tried to bribe them to say that Jesus' disciples had stolen his body, but Longinus and two of his comrades refused to lie or stay silent about the resurrection.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because of their faith, they were baptized by the apostles and left the military.
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  SPEAKER_00: Longinus returned to his homeland, Cappadocia, to preach about Jesus Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: His two comrades went with him.
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  SPEAKER_00: Their powerful testimony helped Christianity spread quickly in Cappadocia, but the Jewish elders convinced Pilate to send soldiers to kill Longinus and his friends.
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  SPEAKER_00: When the soldiers arrived, Longinus welcomed them into his home.
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  SPEAKER_00: After a meal, the soldiers told him why they had come, not knowing who he was.
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  SPEAKER_00: Then Longinus and his friends revealed themselves and told the soldiers to do their duty.
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  SPEAKER_00: The soldiers wanted to let them go, but the martyrs refused to run away.
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  SPEAKER_00: They were ready to suffer for Christ, they were beheaded, and their bodies were buried where they were martyred.
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  SPEAKER_00: Longinus' head was sent to Pilate.
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  SPEAKER_00: Pilate ordered that Longinus' head be thrown on a trash heap outside the city walls.
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  SPEAKER_00: Later, a blind widow from Cappadocia came to Jerusalem to pray and asked for her sight to be restored.
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  SPEAKER_00: Her son, who guided her, became ill and died shortly after they arrived.
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  SPEAKER_00: Longinus appeared to the widow in a dream.
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  SPEAKER_00: He comforted her and told her she would see her son in heaven and regain her sight.
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  SPEAKER_00: He told her to go outside the city walls to find his head in the rubbish.
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  SPEAKER_00: Guided to the heap, the woman began to dig.
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  SPEAKER_00: When she touched Longinus's head, her sight was restored.
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  SPEAKER_00: She praised God and Saint Longinus.
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  SPEAKER_00: She took the head home and washed it.
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  SPEAKER_00: That night Longinus appeared again with her son, surrounded by bright light.
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  SPEAKER_00: He told her to bury his head and her son's body together and not to weep, because her son was now in great glory and happiness.
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  SPEAKER_00: The woman did as she was told and returned to Cappadocia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Her grief turned to joy when she saw her son with Saint Longinus.
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  SPEAKER_00: She had sought healing for her eyes and received healing for her soul.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Longinus's witness at the cross and his faith even after death remind us of the power of Christ's resurrection and the hope it brings.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord Jesus Christ, help us to see your truth as Saint Longinus did.
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  SPEAKER_00: Strengthen our faith and guide us to follow you with courage.
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  SPEAKER_00: Heal our hearts and grant us peace.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.