To some, the Crucifixion is just a legend.
But for 2,000 years, Christians have safeguarded the evidence.
These are 10 holy relics of Christ’s Passion that still exist today - a🧵
1. The Crown of Thorns in Notre-Dame, Paris.
2. The True Cross in Jerusalem, Rome, and beyond
After Emperor Constantine’s mother, St. Helena, discovered the Cross in the 4th century, fragments were dispersed to churches across Christendom.
Today, you can venerate parts of the True Cross in:
>Basilica of the Holy Cross, Rome
>Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem
>Monastery of Mount Athos, Greece
These relics are among the most sacred in the world.
3. The Holy Nails in Milan, Rome & Trier
The nails that pierced Christ’s hands and feet are venerated in multiple sites.
The most prominent:
>Milan Cathedral: suspended above the altar in a golden reliquary.
>Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Rome.
>Trier Cathedral, Germany.
4. The Titulus Crucis in Rome
This is the wooden inscription placed above Christ:
“Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (INRI).
It’s preserved in Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, brought by St. Helena.
The Latin, Greek, and Hebrew script match St. John’s Gospel (John 19:20).
5. The Holy Lance in Vienna, Vatican, and Armenia
The spear that pierced Christ’s side (John 19,34) has multiple claimed relics.
The most famous are:
>Hofburg Palace, Vienna
>St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican
>Etchmiadzin Cathedral, Armenia
Many saints and emperors held it in awe, including Charlemagne.
6. The Seamless Garment in Trier Cathedral, Germany
This was Christ’s tunic, woven without seam, symbol of His priesthood and unity - John 19,23.
Legend says St. Helena brought it to Trier.
It’s rarely displayed, only during special jubilees. The last was in 2012.
7. The Holy Shroud of Turin, Italy
A linen burial cloth bearing the mysterious image of a crucified man.
No paint. No ink. Blood type AB.
Many believe, because of the undeniable evidence, it is the actual burial shroud of Jesus. Housed in Turin Cathedral, rarely displayed.
8. The Column of the Flagellation in Rome
Before the Cross, came the scourging.
The pillar where Christ was whipped is preserved in the Basilica of Santa Prassede, Rome.
Pilgrims since the early centuries have wept and prayed before it.
9. The Sudarium of Oviedo, Spain
Mentioned in John 20:7 as the cloth that covered Christ’s face.
Bloodstains match the Shroud of Turin, same type, same pattern.
Venerated in the Cathedral of San Salvador.
10. The Holy Sponge in Basilica of St. John Lateran, Rome
At the Crucifixion, a soldier soaked a sponge in vinegar and lifted it to Christ’s lips - John 19,29.
That very sponge is said to be kept at St. John Lateran, the Cathedral of the Pope.
It rests near relics of both the True Cross and the Holy Nail.
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.