RELICS OF THE PASSION OF OUR LORD JESUS

HOLY CROSS IN JERUSALEM, ISRAEL

The Relics of the crucifixion of Jesus were brought back from Jerusalem by St Helena, mother
of the first Christian Emperor of Rome in the early part of the 4th Century. By tradition the first
building to house the relics of the Passion was on the property where she lived. The floor was
packed with earth from Jerusalem which gave it its name.

In the writings of Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea (265-340 AD), we learn that there were hundreds of
people involved in the diggings. In the process of tearing the temple and adjoining buildings down, they
found more than the cave of the Resurrection, that was described in detail by Eusebius. They also
uncovered the rock of Golgotha and found an ancient Malachite rock quarry where 3 crosses were
discovered near the site of Calvary. He wrote: "The work was carried out, and, as layer after layer of the
subsoil came into view, the venerable and most holy memorial of the Savior's resurrection, beyond all our
hopes, came into view, the holy of holies, the cave .... by its very existence bearing clearer testimony to
the resurrection of the Savior than any words."

In 355, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was established in Jerusalem. Its purpose was to
dedicate the Basilica of the Resurrection. By 395, St John of Chrysostom had written about the finding of
the three crosses by Empress Helena along with others who documented this remarkable event.

Constantine would begin building the first church over the holy sites. During the Crusader Period, the
Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre was completed by bringing together the scattered sites, including the last
Stations of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) under one building. Today, after fire, earthquakes and war, the
Basilica has been restored in the form of a cross.

THE RELICS
This closeup of the reliquary cross (below center) shows 2 of the 3 slivers of the Holy Cross of
Jesus. The side picture is a front picture of the cross.

ONE OF THE NAILS OF THE CRUCIFIXION

It is unknown if there were 3 or 4 nails used in the crucifixion of Jesus. Early images show 3 nails.
Thirteen century artists began to show 4. One may have been used in the bridle of Constantine's horse as
he went into battle, while another was possibly used in either a helmet or crown. Another tradition states
that one of the nails was tossed/dipped into the Adriatic sea to calm a storm.

There is no scripture stating the actual 'nailing' of Christ to the cross. The term 'Crucifixion' suggests this.
It was the standard punishment of the times.

PART OF TITLE BOARD SHOWING ''NAZARENUS'

Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, "Jesus the Nazorean, the King of the
Jews."

Now many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the
city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do
not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that he said, 'I am the King of the Jews.'"
Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written." (Jn 19:22)

FINGER OF THOMAS THE DOUBTER

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the
doors were locked ... Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your
hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe."

Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

(Jn 20:26-28)

FROM THE CROWN OF THORNS

And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns and placed it on his head, and they came to him and said,
"Hail, King of the Jews!" Once more Pilate went out and said to them, "Look, I am bringing him out to
you, so that you may know that I find no guilt in him." So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns
and the purple cloak. And he said to them, "Behold, the man!" (Jn 19:4-5)

CROSSBOARD OF ST DISMAS, THE GOOD THIEF

There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle (Jn 19:18).