One of the most mysterious relics of the Armenian Church—a sacred object from the deepest roots of Christianity—is the Holy Lance of Keghart.
Long associated with the medieval monastery of that name, it is currently housed in the museum of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and taken out on rare occasions for public veneration, or to be used in the most solemn church ceremonies—like the blessing of the Holy Muron.According to church tradition, the Holy Lance is the spear point used by a Roman soldier during the Crucifixion, to pierce the side of Jesus and ensure that he was dead.The Lance also implicitly figures in the story of Thomas’s unbelief (John 20:24-29). In John’s gospel, Thomas states that he will not believe in Christ’s Resurrection, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side”—that is, where the spear thrust had penetrated.
Eight days later, Jesus does indeed appear, and commands his doubting disciple to “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” The awe-struck Thomas falls to his knees to worship Christ as “My Lord and God.”
