Martyr
Martyr Longinus the Centurion
I век
Also known as: Лонгин Каппадокийский
Martyr Longinus the Centurion — a Roman centurion who commanded the guard at Golgotha, came to faith upon witnessing the miracles at Christ's crucifixion, was baptized, and was beheaded for preaching in his native Cappadocia.
Longinus was a Roman centurion who commanded the guard at Golgotha during Christ's crucifixion. Witnessing the earthquake, darkness, and other signs at the cross, he came to faith and proclaimed, "Truly this was the Son of God."
He left military service, was baptized by the apostles, and returned to his native Cappadocia, where he lived a life of fasting, silence, and prayer on his family estate while openly preaching Christ. Greek tradition distinguishes Longinus the centurion-confessor from the separate soldier who pierced Christ's side with a spear (Western tradition conflates the two figures into one).
When Jewish elders learned of his preaching, they persuaded Pilate to send soldiers to kill him; Longinus went out to meet them along with two companions and was beheaded rather than flee.
His feast is kept on October 16/29.