Relics And History
THE HISTORY OF THE RELIC OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS IN WEINGARTEN GERMANY
According to legend, "the Relic of the Holy Blood in Weingarten contains the blood of Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified in 30 or 31 AD on the hill Golgotha."
"A Roman legionnaire, later known as Longinus (according to legend), pushed his lance deep into the side of the crucified to make sure he was dead."
"The blood of Jesus Christ dripped on the face of Longinus and enlightened him; this was, according to the legend, the origin of the miraculous healing force of the blood of Jesus."
"Longinus collected some drops of the blood, mixed them with the soil of Golgotha and stored them in a lead box."
"After being baptized by the Apostles, he left Jerusalem and traveled on a ship to the Italian Mantua where he preached Christianity and was consequently prosecuted."
In hardship and distress, he hid the casket (in which he stored the blood) and died as a Martyr later on."
"One day the place of hiding was revealed to the blind Adilbero, and the news of which reached the Emperor."
"The Emperor, the Pope, and the Duke of Mantua let Adilbero show them the relic's hiding place and he got his eyesight back."
"However, a bloody conflict broke out about the relic. As a consequence, the object of dispute was apportioned: one piece for Pope Leo IX, one for the Duke of Mantua, and a third for Emperor Henry III."
To cut the story short, in 1056, part of the relics was bequeathed to Baldwin V, Count of Flanders, (1035–1067).
"He gave it as a present to his relation Judith of Flanders (1032–1094) who was married with her second husband Welf I, Duke of Bavaria."
"In 1094, Judith gave the Relic of the Blood to Walicho (1088–1108), abbot of Weingarten Abbey."
The abbort kept it in their Church called St Martin where it stays till date.
The relic was said to have been handed over to the abbot on the Friday after Ascension Day. This is the reason a procession is held on its honour every first Friday following the ascenion.
This is a true story that was given birth by a legend.
We all have legends in our various communities. The legends may not be true but the celebratios or festivals sorrounding them are important especially when they have grown into traditions and culture.
Do not neglect your village festivals because of the history sorrounding their beginnings. There is hardly a tradition with a clear beginning.
Written by:
Fada Angelo Chidi Unegbu
