In the midst of the season of reflection that marks the beginning of Holy Week, many remember one of the most emotional and painful chapters that the son of God went through when he came to the earthly world to save men through his teachings. On the basis of ancient writings, the Roman authority named Pontius Pilate was responsible for the persecution and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth. This path he walked while being beaten and insulted is known as the passion of Christ. Whether they are believers or not, it is inevitable not to be familiar with this story because we have been able to see it countless times in films that try to relive those times.
The origin of Christianity was reflected in that giant element where they took its life, which took it as a symbolic element, found in churches, temples of prayer and in the homes of the faithful. But what happened to the cross on which he died and... was he really found?
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CROSS WHERE JESUS DIED?
According to some writings in the 3rd and 4th centuries (the most remembered being those written by Gelasius of Caesarea or James of the Maelstrom), this wooden element was found in Jerusalem and this is how the stories that are shared from generation to generation are born, which indicate that some monasteries and churches around the world are born they have at least a piece of the so-called “true cross” on their altars, so that it can be praised by the religious.
Candida Moss, professor of History of the Gospels and Early Christianity at the University of Birmingham, argues that this theory cannot be entirely true since the Romans were able to use that wood to crucify more people or reuse them in carpentry workshops.
Since the ancient world knew the story of the son of God, no writing gave any signs of what could happen with the cross, only the record of Gelasius, who tried to explain how the finding took place and the person responsible for it.
This version stars Helena, saint of the Catholic Church and mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, who imposed Christianity as the official religion of the Empire. It is explained that she was sent by her son to find the cross of Christ, so she was taken to Mount Golgotha, where Jesus was supposed to be crucified, and there she met three crosses. As he did not know which one was correct, he asked that a sick woman be brought to stand on each one of them. It would be known which one was the real one if one cured it.
It is even reported that the truth had signs of having been part of a crucifixion because of the location of nails and other elements of torture. As Helena completed her mission, part of the cross was taken to Rome and the other remained in Jerusalem. According to the stories that are part of religious traditions, these remains are preserved in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in the Italian capital. As part of the days of evangelization, these objects were shared throughout much of Europe to be kept in temples.
WHAT WORDS DID JESUS SAY ON THE CROSS?
These were the last seven words of Christ as he agonized:
1. “Father, forgive them, because they don't know what they're doing”
2. “Today you will be with me in paradise”
3. “Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother”
4. “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me”
5. “¡Tengo sed!”
6. “Everything is finished”
7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”