Hearing of his location, Pilate sent soldiers to behead Saint Longinus. Meeting them without revealing his identity, Saint Longinus hosted them for the evening, giving them dinner and a place to sleep. That evening Saint Longinus spent in Prayer, preparing himself for his upcoming Martyrdom, and in the morning he dressed himself in white burial clothes. He and his two companions were then beheaded.
+
The Holy head of Saint Longinus was given to Pilate, who then gave it to the Jewish people, and they threw it on a dung hill outside the City. The finding of Saint Longinus’ Holy head occurred some time later, when a blind widow was grieving the sudden death of her son. Saint Longinus appeared to her in a dream comforting her and told her she would see her son in Heavenly Glory and also receive her sight. He indicated where his head was and asked her to retrieve it. Digging through the rubbish pile, the blind woman found the head of Saint Longinus, and as soon as she touched it she received her sight. That evening she saw her son together with Saint Longinus surrounded by a bright light, and Saint Longinus said “Woman, behold the son for whom you grieve. See what glory and honour are his now, and be consoled. God has numbered him with those in His Heavenly Kingdom. Now take my head and your son’s body, and bury them in the same casket. Do not weep for your son, for he will rejoice forever in great glory and happiness.”
