Commemorated on October 16

Best known for his empowering words,  “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matt. 27:54), Longinos stood by the cross at the death of Christ and saw the passion firsthand.

His first account of Christ was when he watched guard at the cross with other soldiers under the command of Pontius Pilate of Judea. There he saw Christ suffer on the cross and he also bore witness to the sky turning dark and the earthquake shaking the grounds in all direction. It was from these forewarning events his soul was jolted and he spoke freely and honestly saying “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Again he was ordered to guard Christ’s tomb to insure that no one took the body. After the great light and joy of the Resurrection of Christ, Jews came to pay the guards and bribe them into saying the Apostles took Christ’s body from the tomb. Longinus and two other soldiers who had believed, did not trade the truth for gold. They professed the wonders of Christ and after His resurrection, they all got baptized by the apostles. Then, renouncing their duties as soldiers, traveled to Cappadocia and began preaching the word of God.

Because he had an utmost personal account of Christ and the glory of his death and resurrection, many quickly followed Longinus and his men. Since Cappadocia was a Jewish land, the elders were envious and hateful of the new following toward Christ. They contacted Pontius Pilate and told him what his rogue soldiers were now doing. They were able to convince Pontius Pilate to send soldiers to Cappadocia and kill Longinos and his two other comrades.

When the soldiers arrived, Longinos greeted them and welcomed them openly into his house. He prepared a meal for them and spoke kindly. After eating, the soldiers shared with Longinos their reason for coming to Cappadocia and what orders they had to carry out, not knowing that it was Longinos they were sitting with. To their great surprise, Longinos and his men revelaed themselves to the soldiers. Defending Christ’s name they told the men to do as they were ordered to do.

Taking pity on Longinos, the soldiers advised he and his men escape as they did not wish to kill them. But Longinos and his fellow soldier stood strong and welcomed death for the glory of Christ.

They were then beheaded, and their bodies were buried on the ground of their killing. Bringing the heads back to Pontius Pilate, he ordered that they be thrown into a heap of garbage beyond the city walls.

Around this time, a blind woman had just suffered the loss of her son who also aided her daily life. She was grieving his death and did not feel peace. Then Martyr Longinos appeared to her in a dream and gave instruction for her to go retrieve his head from the pile of garbage. With this he promised she would see her son in the glory of heaven.

With the help of guides, she went to the pile of garbage and when she touched the head of Longinos her sight was instantly restored.

Longinos joined with her son then came to her in another dream telling her to bury his head and the body of her son. In this second visions she found the peace she sought after seeing the great glory and joy her son had received.

After burying both Longinos’ head and her son’s body properly, she remained with sight and shared the miracle of God’s grace with others.

How powerful Longinos’ words remain to this day, for “Truly Christ is the son of God!”

Troparion & Kontakion

Troparion — Tone 1

Longinus, you beheld the King of Glory / who was nailed to the Cross, yet shone on those in darkness. / You were enlightened by His rays and became a martyr / and save those who cry: / Glory to Him who gave you strength! / Glory to Him who granted you a crown! / Glory to Him who through you grants healing to all!

Kontakion — Tone 4

The Church rejoices in gladness / on the day of the commemoration of the ever-memorable athlete Longinus! / She cries out: “You are my strength and support, O Christ!”