Luke 23:32 – 43 (KJV) “And there were also two other malefactors led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
At the Crucifixion, two men encountered Christ in a way that changed their lives forever. Later, both were honored as saints. One was the Good Thief, later to be known as Saint Dismas. The other was the Roman centurion (Longinus), who pierced the side of Jesus on the cross with a lance (Spear).
Longinus, the Roman Officer and Centurion who oversaw the execution detail at Jesus’ crucifixion, was, by tradition, known as Petronius or Longinus, later known as Saint Longinus. Longinus, the centurion, was the leader of approximately 100 soldiers who mocked and nailed Jesus to the cross. Longinus was nearly blind, and some of Jesus’ blood and water that fell from his wounded side dropped into Longinus’ eyes beneath the cross, and he was healed. That day, Longinus also witnessed the Midday darkness, earthquake, and the tearing of the temple veil. Longinus then proclaimed:
Mark 15:39(KJV)” And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”
Longinus converted to the faith and left the Army. “He dwelt with the apostles. They taught and christened Longinus, who went on to lead a Holy life, engaged in charity, and lived as a monk for about 38 years in Caesarea and Cappadocia. Many people were converted to the faith of Christ. Longinus conversion angered Octavian, the Provost.
Octavian Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian (Latin: Octavianus), was the founder of the Roman Empire from 27 BC until he died in AD 14. He was the great-nephew of Julius Caesar and became the first Roman emperor after defeating his rivals in a series of civil wars. Octavian tried to make Longinus sacrifice to idols. Refusing, Longinus was arrested. This former centurion advised Octavian that if he “became Christian, God would pardon his trespasses.” Octavian arrested Longinus and ordered some gruesome tortures meant to make Longinus speechless. His teeth were forced out, and his tongue cut off. Longinus miraculously continued to speak clearly. He then destroyed several idols in the presence of Octavian. The demons that came from the idols blinded Governor Octavian. The demons not only tortured Octavian but also those with him.
Longinus commanded the demons to leave the people whom they had possessed. The people, including Octavious, had great joy and became believers in the Lord. Octavian, however, returned to his cruel ways. He told Longinus that because of his teaching, the people refused idol worship. Octavian added that it would anger “the king,” causing him to destroy the people and the city.
There was an occasion when Octavian started torturing a Christian who defended Longinus. Longinus began praying for the tortured Christian, and Octavian was again struck blind with great agony.
Longinus told Octavian that if he wished to be healed, he (Octavian) should put him (Longinus) to death, stating, “After I die, I shall pray for you to our Lord, that He heal you.” Octavian had Longinus beheaded. Octavian had his sight restored while Longinus was being beheaded, because his blood came in contact with Octavian’s eyes. Octavian wept, confessed his terrible sins, and sincerely repented for returning to Idolatry. Octavian’s sight was restored, and his body returned to health.
Saint Longinus was not formally canonized in the modern sense, as he lived in the 1st century, before the Vatican’s formal canonization process was established. He is recognized as a saint by tradition. Saint Longinus’ feast day is celebrated on October 16 in the Roman Martyrology and on March 15 in older traditions.
Saint Longinus’ relics are now in the church of Saint Augustine, in Rome. His lance is contained in one of the four pillars over the altar in the Basilica of Saint Peter’s in Rome.
Revelation 3:16 (KJV) “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
There is a great parallel between the death of Jesus and that of Saint Longinus. I was particularly intrigued by this narrative, as I was not as familiar with it as with the rest of the Bible, so you may be as well.